Miley Cyrus Mourns Godmother Dolly Parton in Heartfelt Tribute

Miley Cyrus has shared an emotional tribute to her godmother, Dolly Parton, after the country music legend died Monday at the age of 80.

Cyrus, 33, posted the message to Instagram on Tuesday morning, opening up to her 205 million followers about the depth of her grief. “The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” she wrote. “Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.”

While the singer made clear that some memories would remain personal, her tribute reflected the lasting imprint Parton had on her life, her music and her sense of strength.

Cyrus continued: “What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis.”

“I will always love her and want to make her proud,” she added. “My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things.”

Parton’s bond with Cyrus stretched back across the singer’s entire life. The country icon had previously spoken about how she came to be the godmother of the “Flowers” hitmaker, a relationship that became one of the most beloved connections in music.

‘I’ve known her since she was a baby,’ she told GMA in 2009. ‘Her father’s a friend of mine, and when she was born, he said, ‘You just have to be her godmother,’ and I said, ‘I accept.’ 

‘We never did do a big ceremony, but I’m so proud of her, love her. and she’s just like one of my own.’  

The godmother had complete confidence in the Cyrus’ future from the start and even did a guest role on the pop star’s Disney Channel series Hannah Montana back in 2006.

‘The kids love her because she’s Hannah Montana, but what people don’t realize about her is she is such a fantastic singer and songwriter,’ Parton told AOL Music back in 2008, per Biography. 

‘She writes songs like she’s 40 years old! She’s really deep.’

Parton added: ‘I think she’s gonna have a big career after that show is off the air. I know I’m partial, because she’s my goddaughter. But I’m amazed at the talent that child has and the effect she has on people.’

Cyrus has been open about the career and life advice imparted into her by her godmother as she recently made a Disney+ concert special for the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana happen from advice she had received from Parton.

The daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus plugged it to the public before the project had ever been greenlight because of ‘this terrible habit – but I actually think it was good advice,’ that she learned from Parton. 

‘She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists. Then no one can say no,’ Cyrus said in a cover interview with Variety back in March.

The two didn’t just share the screen on the Disney Channel series but also worked together on numerous music projects including Dolly collaborating with Cyrus on her 2023 rock album Rockstar and covering her goddaughter’s 2013 hit track Wrecking Ball on that same record.

Of working together on the project, Parton said at the time: ‘I just felt honored. I love that song, and I love Miley, and when I started to choose all these people for my record, or songs that I wanted to do, I thought, ‘I have to have Miley.’

The duo also worked together on Cyrus’ 2017 track Rainbowland which was featured on her Younger Now album.

In addition, Cyrus covered Parton’s 1973 classic track Jolene during a ‘Backyard Sessions’ performance in 2012 which went viral at the time.

Parton died Tuesday morning at the age of 80 after being admitted on Friday to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems.

Her death was later confirmed in a heartbreaking Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.

Seaver hailed his aunt for having ‘lived in the light’ and said she was now ‘in the arms of Jesus’ and the company of her late husband Carl Dean.

Parton’s loved ones began racing to Nashville upon hearing news of her hospitalization, but not all were able to reach her while she was alive.  

‘This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,’ Seaver said.

He hailed his aunt for having ‘lived in the light’ and said she was now ‘in the arms of Jesus’ and the company of her late husband Carl Dean, as well as her parents and ‘countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.’ 

Parton, who is often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible six decades and was arguably best known for her hits Jolene and 9 to 5. 

Her passing came after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances, fueling fan fears for her wellbeing. 

Seaver fondly recalled joining Parton on tour when he was a child in the 1980s, sharing that she ‘opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn’t even know was possible.’ 

He characterized her as ‘a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil. She farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.’

Family insiders indicated that a private service for close friends and relations will be held in Nashville within the next few days.