Country music icon Dolly Parton sent a shockwave across the world following the news of her passing at the age of 80.
The beloved singer died over a year after the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, and reports indicate she had been quietly battling cancer before her death.
Now, amid a global flood of heartfelt tributes to the legendary star, a poignant message from her goddaughter, singer Miley Cyrus, stands out as one of the most moving.
5In a heartfelt post shared to her social media pages on Wednesday, Miley Cyrus talked about the indescribable pain of losing her godmother, Dolly Parton.
She said, “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.”
Miley continued, while describing one of the last chats they had before Parton passed away: “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.”
“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,” she concluded.
About Miley Cyrus And Dolly Parton’s Close Relationship
5The bond between Parton and Miley can be traced back to the decades-long relationship between Parton and her goddaughter’s father, Billy Ray Cyrus.
The country artists originally connected while touring together during the 1990s, forming a lasting professional and personal partnership.
Their relationship grew so meaningful that following Miley’s birth in 1992, Billy Ray and his then-wife, Tish, asked the legendary songstress to step into the role of her godmother.
This role eventually turned into an artistic mentorship. Parton notably guest-starred as Aunt Dolly, Miley’s onscreen godmother, on the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana.”
As Cyrus transitioned into adulthood, Parton became one of her most vocal defenders, publicly supporting her musical evolutions.
The two have also shared the stage for several high-profile collaborations, including multiple performances of Parton’s hit song “Jolene” and a rock duet of Cyrus’ chart-topping single “Wrecking Ball.”
Billy Ray Cyrus Paid Tribute To The Country Music Legend
5Billy Ray has also paid tribute to Parton, sharing a lengthy post on Instagram about the impact the country music legend had on his life since he was a child.
He wrote, “Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms. In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her.”
The singer continued, “In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked, and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records!’”
Concluding his tribute, Billy Ray recalled recently receiving a message from Parton, expressing how much she loved him with her whole heart.
“I will always love her in the same way… with my whole heart … and I always will,” Billy Ray said.
Dolly Parton Gave Out Strict Instructions For How She Wants To Be Buried
5Parton’s loved ones have already shared how they plan to lay the beloved country star to rest, with her nephew, Bryan Seaver, disclosing that she had communicated specific arrangements to him prior to her passing.
Seaver noted that his aunt prioritized simplicity for her final send-off, saying, “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.”
The country icon is set to be buried alongside her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean. Due to her personal requests, the burial will be restricted to an intimate service for her loved ones.
The Country Music Star Has Projects For Fans To Look Forward To
5While Dolly Parton’s sudden passing has left a profound void in the entertainment world, her fanbase still has some incredible things to look forward to.
Concerns regarding the future of her highly anticipated musical, which was still in development, have been put to rest by the showrunners.
According to a Variety report, the musical is officially moving forward as scheduled. The creative team confirmed that the stage show will have its first preview performances in New York City on December 7.
“As was Dolly’s wish, the Broadway production of ‘Dolly: A True Original Musical’ will begin previews December 7 at the St. James Theatre in New York City with opening set for January 19, 2027, what would have been her 81st birthday,” the production team shared in their statement.
The musical celebration will extend far into the future, as the icon left behind one final, hidden gift. In 2015, she created a top-secret track titled “My Place in History,” locking it securely inside a chestnut “Dream Box” at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort.
The time capsule will remain sealed until January 19, 2046. This allows her devoted fans to look forward to hearing her voice deliver one last, beautiful song on what would have been her 100th birthday.