Billy Ray Cyrus shares Dolly Parton's final words to him before her death

Billy Ray Cyrus has shared a tribute to Dolly Parton, including the poignant final message she sent to him.

The two country music icons had been close friends for decades. Following the success of Cyrus’ single “Achy Breaky Heart”, the duo toured together in 1992.

Parton was also the godmother to Miley Cyrus, who was born in November of the same year. She later guest-starred as Aunt Dolly on Hannah Montana, in which Billy Ray Cyrus played his real-life daughter’s TV dad.

In a heartfelt tribute shared on Instagram after the news of Parton’s death was announced, Cyrus shared the ‘beautiful’ message she had written to him, in which she told him she loved him ‘with her whole heart’.

The musician and actor wrote: “I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start. 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. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, “Honey, this trash sells records!”

“Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart. I will always love her in the same way ….. with my whole heart … and I always will.”

The post was accompanied by several throwback pictures from throughout their years of friendship, including images of them performing live together and of Parton’s guest-starring stint on Hannah Montana.

Fans shared their condolences in the comments. One fan wrote: “I’m so sorry Billy and Miley. She loved y’all and I know you loved her.”

Another fan highlighted Parton’s influence, writing: “Truly incredible woman who set an example for all of us. Such a blessing to have her in your life personally like this.”

Sharing their own heartbreak over the news, another fan wrote: “My heart is broken since I heard the news.”

Another person reflected on Parton’s appearance on Hannah Montana, writing: “I’m so sorry for your loss. I loved watching her on Hannah Montana when I was a kid. She was truly an amazing woman and one of the nicest people I've ever seen.”

Other fans also shared well wishes, with some noting that Parton passed away on Cyrus’ birthday.

In 2009, the 11-time Grammy winner recalled the moment Billy Ray Cyrus asked her to be Miley Cyrus’s godmother.

“I’ve known her since she was a baby,” she told Good Morning America. “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.’”

She continued: “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.”

More recently, Parton had told Howard Stern how her friendship with Cyrus began in the early ‘90s and why they connected.

“We just got to be good friends,” Parton shared on the Howard Stern Show in 2024. “He’s a Kentucky boy. I’m from Tennessee.”

During the same interview with Stern, Parton was asked if Cyrus ever came to her for career advice.

“Well, she’s asked me a lot of things, and she mostly just runs things by me. And we talk. She’s very successful. Miley is very smart. She’s very intuitive about the business, and I just think Miley is a spectacular human being and an amazing talent.”