Billy Ray Cyrus Discloses Dolly Partons Last Message to Him Miley Recalls One of Her Final Conversations with Aunt Dolly
As people around the world mourn the loss of Dolly Parton, two heartfelt tributes from her family shed light on the reality of her final moments.
Billy Ray Cyrus recently recounted Dolly Parton’s message to him shortly before her passing, a reflection of a friendship that endured through years filled with speculation and gossip. He traced their bond back to a pivotal moment in 1992 that he believes shifted their relationship.
Miley Cyrus also has her own tribute to offer. She opened up about a memorable conversation with the country legend she affectionately called ‘Aunt Dolly,’ a discussion that turned out to hold deeper significance than either of them might have recognized at the time.
Billy Ray stated that Dolly had been a part of his life from an early age, long before they collaborated professionally. In a touching tribute on Facebook, he expressed, ‘Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton.’
She was a constant presence, gracing televisions and becoming a beloved figure in American households. However, their true connection began one afternoon in 1992 when Billy Ray felt compelled to apologize to her.
At that time, tabloids were spreading rumors about an affair between the two, which prompted Billy Ray to seek Dolly out directly to apologize for the unwanted attention.
Dolly’s reaction to his apology became a cornerstone of their friendship. According to Billy Ray, she simply winked and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records!’
This lighthearted response, delivered without a trace of bitterness, set the tone for their relationship moving forward, encapsulating who Dolly was: untroubled by scandals and full of generosity.
Dolly’s Parting Words to Billy Ray
This cherished memory made it all the more poignant when Dolly reached out to him with a final message. Billy Ray described her words as ‘beautiful,’ expressing that she had told him she loved him wholeheartedly.
He shared, ‘Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart.’ He vowed to honor that love: ‘I will always love her the same way… with my whole heart… and I always will.’
Though he did not reveal when or how she contacted him, he concluded his tribute by noting the abundance of memories they shared, mentioning the difficulty in knowing where to start recounting them.
Miley’s Tribute to ‘Aunt Dolly’
Miley offered her own tribute in a separate post, choosing to keep most of her interactions with Dolly private. In her Instagram post, she expressed that the loss of ‘Aunt Dolly’ was immeasurable and difficult to articulate.
She wrote, ‘Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll remain behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.’ However, she did share a glimpse of their last conversation.
Miley revealed that one of their final discussions revolved around music and transformation, a theme she emphasized with a butterfly emoji.
She expressed her understanding of what Dolly would want her to do now: fully embrace her grief, convert it into a song, and continue moving forward with resilience. ‘I have an angel by my side. I always have,’ she wrote.
Miley concluded her post by expressing her heartbreak for Dolly’s family, friends, and fans globally, who will all feel her absence. She conveyed her belief that they would continue to ‘see her in all of the most beautiful things’ to come.
A Sister’s Reflection
One of the most touching tributes following Dolly’s death came from her younger sister, Stella Parton, who is 77. In a heartfelt tribute shared on Facebook on August 27, 2026, Stella opened up about the special bond the two sisters shared over the years.
Stella revealed that they maintained a weekly phone call ritual on Tuesday mornings before sunrise, during which they would gossip, make plans, and simply enjoy each other’s company.
She reminisced, ‘Every Tuesday at this time, before the sun came up and the world was still asleep, we would have our coffee together over the phone.’ As farm girls accustomed to early mornings, she recalled Dolly often joked about how they accomplished more before dawn than many did all day.
However, one detail about Dolly’s final days struck a chord with many readers. Stella wrote:
‘What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so that she told me recently if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental treatments to help others in the future.’
Stella noted that this was wholly characteristic of Dolly: ‘My sister always thought of others first.’ She encouraged fans to honor Dolly’s memory by embodying the same kindness, support, and generosity she demonstrated throughout her life.
As previously mentioned, the connection between Dolly and Miley ran deeper than a typical celebrity relationship; Dolly had nurtured her goddaughter with love from the very beginning.
Dolly was married to Carl Thomas Dean for nearly 59 years. They tied the knot on May 30, 1966, but did not have children.
In 1982, Dolly suffered from painful abdominal bleeding, leading her to seek medical treatment and cancel a tour. Then, in 1984, she underwent a partial hysterectomy, receiving the news that she would never be able to conceive.
This diagnosis plunged her into a two-year depression and prompted her to scale back her professional commitments. She described that period as incredibly challenging, viewing it as a sign from God to slow down and confront her personal struggles.
Dolly believed that God had a purpose for everything, including her not having children, which allowed her to embrace and care for others’ children.
Despite her health issues, Dolly mentioned that she and her husband had previously contemplated having children and even discussed potential names for a daughter.
Though they accepted that parenthood was not in their future, Dolly and Carl came to realize that perhaps it was for the best. Carl passed away on March 3, 2025, at the age of 82, while Dolly passed on August 25, 2026, at 80 years old.
Dolly believed that had she become a mother, it would have compelled her to sacrifice everything else out of guilt for leaving her children at home while on tour.
Life would have been drastically different had she chosen to become a parent, and her legacy as a country music icon might not have existed. Nevertheless, she found fulfillment in motherhood through her role as a godmother to an exceptional pop star.
Dolly became Miley’s godmother because of her close friendship with Miley’s father, Billy Ray. When Miley was born, it was agreed that she would hold this special title.
Dolly took her role as Miley’s godmother seriously. Miley began her career in ‘Hannah Montana’ when she was still a child. Even though she achieved fame and wealth at a young age, she did not fall victim to what she termed ‘new money syndrome,’ as Dolly taught her the importance of staying grounded.
Dolly praised Miley for her performance in ‘Hannah Montana,’ while Miley suggested that Dolly make a guest appearance on the show, which she did.
Dolly fondly recalled the moments they shared on the sitcom, expressing, ‘Here I am, you know, Miley’s fairy godmother, and on the show and kind of sharing all that with her.’
The duo complemented each other perfectly on the show, and through Miley, Dolly attracted a whole new younger audience to her music. The ‘Two Doors Down’ singer admired Miley’s confidence.
‘For me, watching her being such a professional, she didn’t realize it, but I was watching her like a proud mama, thinking you go, you little thing, I’m so proud of you,’ she shared.
Miley credits Dolly with teaching her the importance of remaining humble, respecting others, and acknowledging everyone in a production. Watching how her godmother treats people with warmth reminds Miley and her family of life’s true priorities.
Dolly not only imparted valuable life lessons to Miley but also provided her with unwavering support. When Miley chose to shed her child star persona and explore bolder performances, Dolly stood by her, defending her against criticism, and highlighting her growth and talent.
Dolly recognized that Miley was simply trying to carve out her own identity. ‘She is like me,’ Dolly remarked, commending Miley as a remarkable singer and songwriter who was in the process of discovering her potential.
Dolly offered career advice to Miley only when she sought it, fully supporting her autonomy. Today, Miley is an accomplished artist, and they have collaborated on songs together.
Miley has never encountered anyone who did not admire her beloved fairy godmother. She considers Dolly to be her ‘idol’ because of her extraordinary career and as a ‘role model’ for her strong ethics and values.
‘The Climb’ singer wishes that everyone could meet Dolly and experience her greatness firsthand. Miley believes that Dolly is a fairy godmother to everyone, and she feels proud to share her with the world.
Now at 33 years old, Miley is crafting her own music, moving beyond the phase where she felt the need to prove herself, and embracing a new direction in her career and life.
In December 2022, Miley partnered with Dolly for an NBC special titled ‘Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party: Legendary.’ She expressed that their chemistry, authenticity, and mutual love made them captivating to viewers.
Their bond is so strong that when Miley told Dolly about her desire to dye her hair brunette, the country legend responded as if the worst news had hit her. Dolly exclaimed, ‘You can’t do that. You are me.’ As a result, Miley decided to stick with her blonde hair.
The connection between Dolly and Miley was also showcased during a duet of ‘Wrecking Ball’ in 2023. Miley shared this moment on Instagram, expressing how honored she was to have Dolly perform one of her songs. ‘I love Aunt Dolly,’ she added.
Dolly responded to Miley’s post, stating her pride in being able to sing alongside Miley and be part of her life. She referred to Miley as ‘the most gifted person’ she knows, emphasizing her pride in their music but even more in their relationship.
Over the years, they have uplifted each other’s careers, with Dolly offering guidance whenever needed, and both have consistently praised each other. Although it may seem sentimental, Dolly insisted that their bond is genuinely authentic.
Dolly Parton’s rise to global stardom began from humble beginnings that significantly influenced her life and values, which she later passed on to her goddaughter.
Born the fourth child in a family of twelve to Avie Lee and Robert Lee Parton, she grew up in a two-room log cabin in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, without modern conveniences such as electricity or running water.
As a young girl, she would sing on the porch with a tobacco stick and a tin can as makeshift microphones, already dreaming of performing at the Grand Ole Opry.
She attributed her creative vision to her mother, Avie Lee, while crediting her father, a tobacco farmer, for her incredible work ethic. At just 13, she made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry in 1959, introduced by the legendary Johnny Cash.
The original cabin where she was raised still exists in Locust Ridge. Dolly sentimentally repurchased the land from her parents and restored the house to its original 1950s appearance.
For those interested in her history, a replica of the cabin, designed by her brother Bobby and decorated with her mother’s input, can be visited at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. The original property is private, and trespassing is not allowed.
In addition to her Tennessee roots, Dolly discreetly maintained a lesser-known retreat. A report indicated that she purchased a quaint 1920s triplex farmhouse in Solvang, California, in 2004 for personal weekend getaways before selling it nearly a decade later.
This nondescript property featured several privacy-focused amenities and had a few unique ‘Dolly-isms,’ such as a small ‘wig room’ in the garage and a birdhouse resembling a Dollywood chapel near the driveway.
The home is currently listed for $1.995 million, with the present owner hoping that a dedicated Dolly admirer will come to own it.
