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.

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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 Parton and Billy Ray Cyrus have been friends for decades (Katherine Bomboy/NBC via Getty Images)
“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.”

Dolly Parton appeared on Hannah Montana (Joel Warren/Disney Channel via Getty Images)
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.”

Dolly Parton was also Miley Cyrus’ godmother (Michael Kovac/Getty Images for NARAS)
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.”

Other celebrities who have paid tribute to Dolly Parton
Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus was Dolly Parton’s goddaughter (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Parton’s goddaughter wrote on Instagram: “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 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.”

Donald Trump

Trump paid tribute to Parton (SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)
The US president wrote on Truth Social: “Very sad to report that Dolly Parton, one of the greatest Country singers, and far beyond, EVER, has just passed away.

“This is a true loss for millions of people. There has never been anyone like her, and never will.

“In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you.”

Taylor Swift

Swift penned a lengthy statement (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Parton had previously praised Swift as a ‘great inspiration’, and the billionaire songstress wrote a touching tribute for the country icon.

She wrote: “A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right. But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one.

“She was truly the gift that kept on giving. Dolly gave us someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals. Somehow she was able to give us her lessons about the world gently and honestly, simultaneously, and oftentimes hilariously.

“She managed to give the world the ultimate mystery and fantasy in some corners of her life, but to give full transparency in the ways that counted.

“Somehow she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person. She possessed the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self worth as an artist.

“Along with her other fans, I am so grateful for all of it. For the melodies and lyrics she wrote that thawed even the coldest hearts. For the millions of books she provided children all over the world so that they might fall in love with stories the way she did. For the tightropes she walked so that young girls like me could grow up dreaming of joining the circus too.

“Dolly, I’ll think of you each step of the way.”