Billy Ray Cyrus and Dolly Parton shared a special friendship that stretched back years, and she was the godmother of his daughter, Miley Cyrus. Now, as the world mourns the country music icon, Billy Ray has revealed the personal message Dolly sent him shortly before her death.
The world is mourning Dolly Parton after her nephew, Bryan Seaver, confirmed her death in a video shared on social media Tuesday, August 25. Her representatives later confirmed to PEOPLE that her death came after a “brief battle” with cancer. What type of cancer she had has not yet been disclosed.
Fans all over the world are mourning the legendary singer, who rose to fame through her work with Porter Wagoner in 1967 and went on to become one of the biggest names in country music.
Now, as tributes continue to pour in, those who knew Dolly personally are remembering the woman behind the legendary career. Among them is her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus, who shared a deeply heartfelt tribute on Instagram saying: “The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share.”
“Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.
“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.”
She concluded: “I will always love her and want to make her proud. 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.”
Billy Ray Cyrus on Dolly Parton’s death
Miley was not the only member of the Cyrus family with a very personal connection to Dolly. Her father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, also shared a touching tribute, looking back on the friendship and memories they built over the years.
“I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start,” he wrote.
“Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms.”
Billy Ray Cyrus then went on to share one uniquely memorable moment between them: “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 also revealed that Dolly had recently reached out to him with words of love that now carry an especially painful weight: “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.”
After decades of friendship, Billy Ray’s final memory of Dolly is not one of the headlines, the fame or the country music legend the world knew. It is a simple, personal message between two friends – one that he will carry with him long after her passing.
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