Miley Cyrus paid tribute to her godmother and musical influence, Dolly Parton, on August 26, 2026, one day after the country music icon died at age 80. The “Something Beautiful” singer shared an emotional message on Instagram along with a black-and-white photograph of Dolly. She shared that some of their most important memories would remain private but said Dolly would want her to feel the pain, continue creating music, and move forward.
The “Wrecking Ball” hitmaker also revealed that one of their final conversations focused on music and personal transformation. She said she would always love Dolly and would continue trying to make her proud. The artist showed sympathy for Dolly’s relatives, friends, and fans around the world, saying that everyone who loved the singer was experiencing the loss together.
“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. 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 her post.
See the full post below:
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.
What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then… pic.twitter.com/VFV6MohLto
— Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) August 26, 2026
Dolly Parton had been part of Miley Cyrus’s life since her birth in 1992. She became close friends with Billy Ray Cyrus after they toured together during the 1990s and was later chosen as Miley’s godmother. The Queen of Country also appeared as her fairy godmother in three episodes of Hannah Montana between 2006 and 2010. In addition, they collaborated on the 2023 version of “Wrecking Ball” and a January 2026 charity recording of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.”
