Miley Cyrus Honors Dolly Parton After Country Legend Dies at 80

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Country music icon Dolly Parton died on Tuesday, at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer, according to statements from her team reported by BBC.

Cyrus shared an emotional tribute on Instagram describing Parton as an irreplaceable presence in her life and career. “The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is more than seems appropriate to share,” Cyrus wrote, according to reporting by Exitoina. “Our most sacred moments were private and they will stay there — behind the scenes, beyond the glamour and deep within our hearts.”

Cyrus added that she views Parton as a permanent guide. “What I DO know is that Dolly would want me to live this feeling, to write a song about it, and then move forward with strength. I have an angel by my side. I always have.”

A Lifelong Bond Rooted in Country Music History

The relationship between Parton and the Cyrus family spans decades, beginning when Miley Cyrus’s father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, toured with Parton in the early 1990s.

The pair also shared the stage for several high-profile performances, including a 2019 duet at the 61st Grammy Awards and a collaborative medley during a television New Year’s Eve special in 2022.

Reflecting on the loss, Billy Ray Cyrus shared memories of his decades-long friendship with Parton with BBC. He recalled weathering early tabloid rumors about their relationship, noting that Parton merely winked and joked, “Honey, this trash sells records!”

Health Struggles Preceding the Loss

Prior to her passing, Parton had faced public health hurdles that forced her to adjust her touring schedule. According to El Deber, the singer recently canceled an anticipated Las Vegas residency that was set to begin in September. At the time, Parton addressed long-standing kidney stone issues and assured fans she was responding well to medical treatments, maintaining her signature humor by joking about carrying banjos in five-inch heels.

Parton leaves behind a monumental legacy spanning more than six decades. She authored enduring country standards such as Jolene, 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You—the latter famously defended against initial refusals and later popularized globally by Whitney Houston. Beyond music, her philanthropic efforts included funding early COVID-19 research and investing millions into children’s literacy programs worldwide.

“I will always love you and want you to feel proud of me. My heart breaks for the world, as well as for her family and friends, who will miss her deeply,” Cyrus wrote on Instagram.

Exitoina