Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80 following a battle with cancer, leaving behind a six-decade career and a deep bond with her goddaughter Miley Cyrus. Parton passed away on August 25.
The date of her death carries significant meaning for Cyrus, whose father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, celebrates his birthday on August 25. The date also marks 20 years since Cyrus made her debut in the television series Hannah Montana and 13 years since she released her number one single Wrecking Ball in 2013.
Parton's family announced her passing in a video statement released by one of her nephews. In their message, her family stated that after a lifetime of wearing heavy costume stones, she deserved to be comfortable.
A Decades-Long Friendship and Mentorship
The relationship between Parton and Cyrus began before the pop singer was born. Parton met Billy Ray Cyrus in the early 1990s when both were active country music stars, and they embarked on a joint tour following the success of his 1992 hit song Achy Breaky Heart.
When Cyrus was born that same year, her father asked Parton to become her godmother. Parton accepted and acted as a guiding mentor to Cyrus as she built her career in the music industry.
Parton was a widely celebrated figure in country music whose career spanned 60 years, while Cyrus gained international prominence as a pop-rock artist after starting her career on the Disney Channel.
Speaking about their bond on the television show Good Morning America in 2009, Parton described herself as Cyrus's honorary godmother. Parton said she had known Cyrus since she was a baby and accepted the role without a large ceremony when Billy Ray Cyrus asked her, adding that she was very proud of Cyrus, loved her deeply, and considered her like a daughter.
Shared Musical Projects
The two singers collaborated on multiple musical projects and television specials over the years. Parton originally released her hit track Jolene in 1974, which Cyrus re-recorded in 2012, and the pair performed the song together live on several occasions, most recently in January.
They also recorded a duet cover of Wrecking Ball together, which was included on Parton's 2023 album Rockstar, reflecting their ongoing personal and professional connection.
Catalog Inheritance Reports
Following Parton's death, entertainment publication Variety reported that Cyrus could inherit a major portion of Parton's artistic legacy. According to the publication, Parton could leave the music catalog rights for her extensive collection of hit songs to Cyrus.
Parton and her husband, Carl Dean, did not have children. While Parton maintained a strong relationship with her nieces and nephews, reports indicate that her musical rights may be left to Cyrus.
Cyrus has not yet publicly commented on the loss of her godmother or the void left by her passing in the global music industry.
