For millions of fans, Dolly Parton’s death at age 80 marks the loss of a country music legend whose songs, style, business empire and philanthropy made her one of the most influential entertainers of her generation. For Miley Cyrus, the loss is much more personal.
Parton was Cyrus’ godmother, mentor, musical collaborator and a woman she had known for essentially her entire life. After Parton’s death in Nashville on August 25, 2026, following what her publicist described as a brief battle with cancer, Cyrus shared a deeply personal farewell to the woman she affectionately called “Aunt Dolly.”
© Vijat Mohindra/NBC via Getty ImaHer message offered a rare glimpse into their private relationship, including one revealing detail about their final conversations. It also renewed interest in the extraordinary bond between Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton and raised another question: Could Cyrus ultimately inherit part of Parton’s music legacy?
Miley Cyrus Shares Heartbreaking Dolly Parton Tribute
Cyrus addressed Parton’s death in a social media message on Wednesday, August 26. Rather than focusing on their famous performances or public appearances, she began by protecting the moments that belonged only to them. “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 shared.
The singer then explained how she believes Parton would want her to move forward. “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 added.
© Getty Images for The Recording ACyrus ended her farewell with a promise to continue making her godmother proud: “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. ”
How Dolly Parton Became Miley Cyrus’ Godmother
Their story started before Miley was born. Billy Ray Cyrus became friends with Parton during the early 1990s, around the time his career exploded with “Achy Breaky Heart.” When Miley was born in November 1992, Billy Ray asked Parton to become his daughter’s godmother.
Parton accepted. “I’ve known her since she was a baby,” Parton told “Good Morning America” in a previous interview, recalling how Billy Ray asked her to take on the role. It became far more than an honorary title.
© Katherine Bomboy/NBC via Getty ICyrus grew up with Parton as a trusted adult in her life, and that relationship eventually developed into an unusually close friendship between two women separated by nearly five decades in age.
Cyrus has previously described Parton as a maternal figure. “Dolly has been like a mother to me,” Cyrus said while recalling a Mother’s Day message Parton had sent her. Cyrus said the note told her, “How much do I love you? As much as my heart can hold and as far as my arms can reach.”
Their connection was so convincing as family that Parton eventually became “Aunt Dolly” on television too.
Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus Made Their Bond Part of ‘Hannah Montana’
Parton appeared on three episodes of Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana,” playing Aunt Dolly, the godmother of Miley Stewart. The appearances introduced Parton to an entirely new generation of viewers while giving fans a playful version of the relationship that Cyrus already had with her offscreen.
© Disney Channel via Getty ImagesParton’s connection to “Hannah Montana” continued long after the original series ended. She encouraged Cyrus as the 20th anniversary of the Disney phenomenon approached, further linking one of the biggest chapters of Cyrus’ career to the woman who had been there since childhood.
But television was only one part of their professional relationship.
Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton’s Best Musical Collaborations
As Cyrus developed her own career, godmother and goddaughter increasingly met as musical equals.
They performed Parton’s “Jolene” together, creating one of the most recognizable cross-generational pairings in country and pop music.
© Getty ImagesParton also appeared on “Rainbowland,” from Cyrus’ 2017 album “Younger Now.” Cyrus later joined Parton for “Christmas Is” on the 2020 album “A Holly Dolly Christmas.” Their collaboration reached another level when Parton recorded a version of Cyrus’ massive hit “Wrecking Ball” for her 2023 rock album “Rockstar,” with Cyrus joining her on the track.
They also co-hosted “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party,” bringing the chemistry fans had seen for years into a major televised celebration.
© Vijat Mohindra/NBC via Getty ImaMusic was one of the languages they shared until the end.
Could Miley Cyrus Inherit Part of Dolly Parton’s Estate?
Parton’s death has inevitably created questions about what happens to the considerable fortune and intellectual property she built during more than six decades in entertainment. That includes her music publishing and songwriting interests, trademarks and other business assets.
Parton and her husband, Carl Dean, were married for nearly six decades before Dean died in March 2025. The couple did not have children. That fact, combined with Parton’s extraordinarily close relationship with Cyrus, has fueled speculation that her goddaughter could be included in her estate plans.
© SoxphotosHowever, as of August 26, no publicly verified estate documents cited by major news organizations establish that Cyrus will inherit Parton’s fortune or music catalog.
Parton also had a large extended family and an enormous philanthropic legacy. Any estate plan could involve relatives, charitable organizations, trusts, business arrangements or other beneficiaries.
