Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus: A Bond Like No Other

Dolly Parton was a beloved figure to millions worldwide, but she was "like a mother" to her goddaughter Miley Cyrus. The Queen of Country and the "Flowers" singer's relationship goes back all the way to before Miley was even born, when Parton forged a close friendship with her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. Billy and Parton were touring together in the early 1990s when Billy and his then-partner, Tish Cyrus, were expecting their first child together. Billy proceeded to ask the "Jolene" singer to be Miley's godmother, and ever since then, Parton and Miley have developed an unbreakable bond. In addition to their personal ties, the two also worked together on various projects—including acting on Miley's Disney Channel television show Hannah Montana, singing together, and co-hosting a 2023 New Year's Eve program.

On August 25, Parton died at the age of 80. Reps for Parton later confirmed to PEOPLE that Parton died following a "brief battle with cancer." Her nephew Bryan Seaver initially shared the news in an Instagram video. Since then, several stars and Parton's family members and close friends including Billy Ray and Miley mourned her death in emotional tributes.

"The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share," Miley began in a heartfelt Instagram post on August 26. "Our most sacred moments were private, and they'll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts."

How Dolly Parton Became Miley Cyrus' Godmother

Miley's dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, asked Parton to serve as his and Tish Cyrus' eldest daughter's godmother in the early 1990s. At the time, Billy had broken out with the success of his hit 1992 song, "Achy Breaky Heart," and was given the opportunity to tour with Parton. "We toured together," Parton explained during an appearance on SiriusXM's The Howard Stern Show in 2023. "I was on tour, and then Billy toured with me, and so that's how we just got to be good friends."

Parton added that the two bonded over their similar backgrounds, with Billy being a "Kentucky boy" and Parton a native Tennessean. "He said, 'You know, we're having a girl, and you've got to be her godmother,'" Parton recalled. "I said, 'Well, I'd be honored.' So actually, Miley and I took over from there, and we've just stayed very, very close through the years."

Were Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus Related?

Even though Parton and her goddaughter didn't connect through any sort of blood relation, the godmother and goddaughter duo actually are distantly related. During a September 2024 interview with Access Hollywood, Parton learned that Ancestry reviewed their records and discovered that the two shared a common ancestor. "Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus are seventh cousins, once removed! Their common ancestor is John Brickey, born in 1740 in Virginia," a statement from Ancestry read. "He later moved to Blount County, Tennessee with his wife and children and remained there until his death in 1806. The Brickey family originated from France, and the family came to the United States in the late 1600s."

Parton appeared shocked and reacted by saying, "Is that true? That's amazing!" "Well, we're so close, Miley and I. I would've thought we would've been at least third cousins, 10 times removed," she joked. "I'm sure she'll get a kick out of that, but it doesn't surprise me because she does feel like family."

What Dolly Parton Said About Her Relationship with Miley Cyrus

Prior to her death, Parton never shied away from expressing how proud she was of Miley. When asked about their relationship in her 2023 interview with Stern, Parton called her goddaughter her "little sweetheart" whom she loves. She also explained that Miley had come to her for advice on several things but that she's intelligent and "capable" of anything. "Well she's asked me a lot of things, and she mostly just runs things by me, and we talk," Parton said. "I mean she's very successful. Miley's very smart. She's very intuitive about the business, and I just think Miley is a spectacular human being and an amazing talent."

In 2023, Parton and Miley collaborated for a rendition of the latter's 2013 song "Wrecking Ball" for Parton's 2023 rock album Rockstar, which Parton said she "felt honored" when Miley accepted her offer. "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,'" she remembered.

Beyond their "Wrecking Ball" duet, Parton and Miley worked on several projects together. The two collaborated on her 2017 song "Rainbowland," while Miley has performed Parton's beloved songs "Jolene" and "Light of a Clear Blue Morning." The two belted out "Jolene" several times together as well, including at the 2019 Grammy Awards.

One of their earliest experiences working together was Parton appearing as Miley's on-screen aunt, Aunt Dolly, on her beloved Disney Channel show Hannah Montana from 2006 to 2010. "We just worked so great together … and thanks to her, I had a whole new following of people that were turned on to me," she told Vanity Fair of the experience in 2020. "These young, little kids that were her fans, and kids that were fans of just the whole show, and the other little artists on the show, but here I am, Miley's fairy godmother."

Parton described feeling like a "proud mama" when she saw the then-teenager acting, singing, and performing for cameras. "I was so proud of her. I thought she was sensational," Parton continued, while later adding about Miley's career, "But you know, she's like me. She's finding her own space, she's finding her own things, and she'll always land on her feet. I don't always have to agree with everything she does, but it ain't my business. That's her life. I'm just her fairy godmother, and I love her."

The duo's working career came full circle in 2023 when they co-hosted Miley's New Year's Eve Party, where Parton told audience-goers that the experience was the "thrill of my life." "We know how much I've loved her since she was a lil' ol' bitty thing. Now she's a big ol' thing, and I still love her. I will always love you," she told Miley on stage. A few months later, Parton reflected on the emotional moment and told Business Insider that "Miley was crying" from rehearsals to the actual experience. "The fact that we were singing so well together stirred up our emotions very much," she shared. "Then we went into 'I Will Always Love You,' and she would just have these tears coming down and it was so emotional."

What Miley Cyrus Has Said About Her Relationship with Dolly Parton

Just like her godmother, Miley has had nothing but words of love and admiration for Parton and their close relationship. Miley even called Parton her "idol" when Parton was named in the Time 100 list in 2021. "Have you ever met anyone who doesn't love Dolly Parton? I never have," Miley wrote in an essay about Parton. "Dolly is not only my idol because of her incomparable career she's also my role model because of her steadfast morals and values." She continued, "There's a theory that you shouldn't meet your heroes, but I wish everyone had the chance to meet Dolly Parton, because she's even better than your sparkliest dreams."

In addition to speaking about their deep personal bond, Miley has also expressed her professional admiration for Parton and credited her for constant advice. "I learned this terrible habit but I actually think it was good advice from Dolly. She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists. Then no one can say 'no,'" Miley told Variety in 2026 of promoting the 20th anniversary special of Hannah Montana before it came into existence.

Miley also recalled another moment Parton inspired her that occurred in 2024 when she helped convince Miley to perform her show-stopping performance of "Flowers" at the 2024 Grammy Awards. "A tough conversation I had with her: I told her, 'I'm wondering if I'm going to do the Grammys or not.' And she said, 'Well of course you're going to do the Grammys, and you're not just going to show up but you're going to show off. And you're going to be everything that you are sitting right here in front of me," Miley said during a 2024 appearance on Netflix's My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.

Miley added, "And she said, 'And don't forget about the beauty. The hair, the makeup, the whole show. It's armor for us.' She's always said this to me: 'You do you, and I'll do me, and together we'll be us.' So she wasn't telling me to be Dolly, she wasn't telling me to be fabulous and hide behind the sparkles and the hair. She was telling me to be me."

Miley's Tribute

Just one day after Parton died, Miley honored her in an emotional Instagram tribute. "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," she began. "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 continued.

Miley ended her post by writing that she "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. 💖 @dollyparton," she concluded.

The bond between Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus transcended that of godmother and goddaughter. It was a partnership of mutual admiration, creative collaboration, and unconditional love. Parton was there for Miley at every stage of her life and career, offering guidance, support, and a steadying presence. In turn, Miley honored Parton by embodying the values she taught her: authenticity, resilience, and the courage to be exactly who you are.

Parton's legacy will live on through her music, her philanthropy, and the countless lives she touched, including Miley's. As Miley wrote, "She will see her in all of the most beautiful things."