DOLLY PARTON’S SECRET FINAL MONTHS REVEALED — The Truth She Kept Hidden Until the End
Dolly Parton’s death date holds a special connection to her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus.
Parton’s reps confirmed to People that the legendary singer died on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, at age 80 after a brief battle with an undisclosed form of cancer.
Three years before Parton’s death, Miley released one of her biggest hits, “Used to Be Young,” on Aug. 25, 2023—a date she deliberately chose because of its significance throughout her life and career.
“I decided to release ‘Used to Be Young’ on August 25 because this particular date historically has been important to me personally and in my career,” Miley said in her ABC special Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions) at the time.
Aug. 25 has marked several major milestones for the singer. On Aug. 25, 2010, Miley and her ex-husband, Liam Hemsworth, reportedly broke up for the first time. Three years later, on Aug. 25, 2013, Miley’s “Wrecking Ball” was released, while her controversial MTV Video Music Awards performance with Robin Thicke also took place that same day.
The date also has a personal connection to Miley’s family: Aug. 25 is her father Billy Ray Cyrus’ birthday.
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Billy Ray’s friendship with Parton dates back to 1992, when he toured with the country music icon following the success of his chart-topping hit “Achy Breaky Heart.”
“We just got to be good friends,” Parton explained during a 2024 appearance on The Howard Stern Show. “He’s a Kentucky boy. I’m from Tennessee.”
Their friendship eventually extended to Billy Ray’s daughter. Parton became Miley’s godmother after Billy Ray asked her to take on the role when Miley was born.
“I’ve known her since she was a baby,” Parton said of Cyrus during a 2009 interview with 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.’”
“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,” Parton added.
During her 2024 interview with Stern, Parton said she and her goddaughter had “stayed very, very close” and that Cyrus would often run things by her when it came to her career.
“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,” Parton said.
Cyrus has also honored her godmother throughout her career, including collaborating with Parton on music and performing covers of her songs.
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As news of Parton’s death spread Tuesday, Billy Ray shared an emotional tribute to his longtime friend on Instagram. Miley has not yet publicly commented on Parton’s death.
“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,” he wrote.
“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,” he continued. “In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records!’”
Billy Ray concluded, “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.”
