Miley Cyrus has paid tribute to her godmother Dolly Parton following the country music legend's death at age 80 in Nashville.
The 33-year-old pop star shared her grief with her 205 million Instagram followers on Wednesday morning after Parton passed away on Tuesday morning.
Parton died after being admitted on Friday to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville with autoimmune and kidney problems.
Writing on social media, Cyrus expressed the deep personal pain of losing the iconic performer she affectionately called Aunt Dolly.
"The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share," Cyrus wrote. "Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts."
Despite keeping their closest memories private, the Flowers hitmaker shared that Parton's presence will always remain with her.
"What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong," Cyrus said. "I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis."
She added: "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."
Lifelong bond and early mentorship
The bond between the two stars spanned Cyrus's entire life. Parton previously opened up during a 2009 interview with GMA about how she became godmother to the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus.
"I've known her since she was a baby," Parton said at the time. "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."
Parton maintained complete confidence in Cyrus's career from the beginning, even appearing in a guest role on the pop star's Disney Channel television series Hannah Montana in 2006.
Speaking to AOL Music in 2008, as reported by Biography, Parton praised the young star's songwriting abilities. "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 said. "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 frequently spoken about the life and career advice imparted by her godmother. She recently created a Disney+ concert special for the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana based on guidance from Parton.
Cyrus revealed in a March cover interview with Variety that she plugged the project to the public before it had been greenlit due to advice 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 explained, describing it as "this terrible habit - but I actually think it was good advice."
Musical collaborations and iconic duets
In addition to sharing the screen on television, the pair collaborated on numerous music projects. Parton brought Cyrus onto her 2023 rock album Rockstar and recorded a cover of Cyrus's 2013 hit track Wrecking Ball for the same record.
Discussing the collaboration at the time, Parton said: "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 recorded the song Rainbowland together for Cyrus's 2017 album Younger Now.
Cyrus previously covered Parton's 1973 classic track Jolene during a Backyard Sessions performance in 2012, which became a viral sensation.
The two stars frequently shared the stage for live duets over the years. They performed Jolene together in 2010 for the Hallmark special Dolly Celebrates 25 Years of Dollywood, as well as on The Voice in 2016 and at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
Family tributes and final arrangements
Parton, widely known as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career spanning six decades and was best known for hit songs including Jolene and 9 to 5.
Her death followed months of health struggles that caused her to pull out of several public appearances, sparking concerns among fans.
Loved ones raced to Nashville after learning of her hospitalization on Friday, though not all family members were able to reach her before she died.
Her passing was later confirmed in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also served as her head of security.
Seaver explained that Parton had asked him years ago to share the video announcement. "This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality," he said.
He praised his aunt for having "lived in the light" and said she was now "in the arms of Jesus" alongside her late husband Carl Dean, her parents, and "countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens."
Seaver recalled joining Parton on tour as a child in the 1980s, noting 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 described 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 relatives will be held in Nashville in the coming days.
