Billy Ray Cyrus has broken his silence in the wake of country superstar Dolly Parton's death with a moving tribute, even touching on the duo's rumored affair in the '90s when he was just breaking into the mainstream.
Dolly passed away on August 25 – which is also Billy Ray's birthday – at age 80, following a brief battle with cancer. She had dealt with several health issues in the last year of her life, particularly since the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2025.
Billy Ray's emotional tribute
© InstagramBilly Ray took to Instagram to pay tribute to his late friend, who served as the godmother of his daughter, Miley Cyrus.
"I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it's hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TVs, right in our living rooms," he wrote, alongside a carousel of photos of the pair.
© Instagram"In 1992, I'll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, 'Honey, this trash sells records!'" he continued.
"Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart. I will always love her in the same way…with my whole heart…and I always will," Billy concluded.
Learn more about Dolly's passing below...
Their close bond revealed
Billy and Dolly met back in the '90s, and they became close friends after touring together.
"When Billy had the big song, 'Achy Breaky Heart,' well, we toured together. I was on tour, and then Billy toured with me, and so that's how we just got to be good friends, because he's a Kentucky boy, I'm from Tennessee," she shared on The Howard Stern Show.
Billy Ray asked Dolly to be Miley's godmother before her birth in 1992. "He said…'We're having a girl, and you've got to be her godmother!' And I said, 'Well, I'd be honored,'" the "Jolene" singer recalled on the show.
"So actually, Miley and I took over from there. We've just stayed very, very close through the years…I love Miley. She's my little sweetheart. I've known her since before she was born, actually."
© Getty ImagesBilly Ray shared insight into Dolly and Miley's close bond on AXS TV, revealing that the pair "actually just fell in love".
"Like it was kindred spirits. That sounds silly, but they were absolute. You could just feel it from the second they met. It was two peas in a pod."
Miley and Dolly's lifelong connection
© Getty ImagesSimilarly, Miley has sung her godmother's praises time and again, including in an interview with TIME. "Dolly is not only my idol because of her incomparable career – she's also my role model because of her steadfast morals and values. At her core, she is the definition of a humanitarian," the "Flowers" singer wrote.
"Though she created an identity that she downplays as being built on wigs, lots of gingham and silicone, the foundation for this empire is actually her honesty, truth and her faith," Miley continued.
© Getty Images"People look to Dolly for guidance, and she knows that. She wears that responsibility with the same grace and pride she rocks a two-piece Nudie suit. She recognizes how impactful her choices will be as one of the most iconic and powerful voices in country music, and she leaves no one behind."
The Grammy winner concluded: "She's even better than your sparkliest dreams. She may be my fairy godmother, but I think she's that to everyone else too. I am happy to share her with the world."
