Miley Cyrus posted a tribute to her godmother Dolly Parton following the music icon's death on Aug. 25 [2].
The loss of Parton marks the end of a decades-long mentorship between two of the most influential figures in U.S. music. Their relationship bridged generations of country and pop music, blending family-like ties with professional mutual respect.
Parton died at age 80 [3]. In the wake of the news, Cyrus shared a message to the public, calling Parton "the most loved person on the planet" [2]. In a separate tribute, Cyrus said, "I will always love her" [4].
The bond between the two artists began in the early 1990s [1]. Billy Ray Cyrus, the father of Miley Cyrus, asked Parton to serve as his daughter's godmother during that period [1]. This request established a personal connection that remained close throughout Cyrus's rise to fame and Parton's continued global influence.
Throughout their lives, the pair maintained a visible friendship that often blurred the lines between kinship and professional collaboration. While some reports have explored the possibility of a biological link between the two, other records indicate there is no blood connection between them.
The relationship remained a cornerstone of Cyrus's personal life until Parton's death this week. The tribute reflects a lifelong bond that began when Cyrus was a child and evolved as she navigated her own career in the spotlight.
“"The most loved person on the planet"”
The passing of Dolly Parton removes a central matriarchal figure from the music industry who served as a bridge between traditional Appalachian country music and modern global pop. For Miley Cyrus, the loss represents the disappearance of a lifelong mentor and surrogate family member who provided stability and guidance from the early 1990s through Cyrus's transition from child star to adult artist.
