Dolly Parton’s death was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who released a video statement on Parton’s official Instagram. The announcement came on Tuesday, August 25, and tributes for Parton, who was 80 at the time of her passing, have been pouring in on social media.
Dolly Parton & Miley Cyrus’ Beautiful Bond
GettyParton was loved by many, and she will be dearly missed. However, she shared an extremely special bond with one person: Miley Cyrus. “I’m her honorary godmother,” Parton said in 2009, Woman’s World reports. “I’ve known her since she was a baby. 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 a big ceremony, but I’m so proud of her, love her. And she’s just like one of my own.”
Cyrus has also publicly shared her affection for Parton. In a 2024 interview with W Magazine, Cyrus said, “Dolly’s been like a mother to me. Actually, I was just reading this fax that she sent me two Mother’s Days ago.” In the same interview, Cyrus offered a glimpse of who Parton was: an incredible individual.
“No one else faxes. I literally have to access my lawyer’s office, because the lawyer is the only person who can still receive a fax,” Cyrus said. “Dolly wrote to me to say: ‘How much do I love you? As much as my heart can hold and as far as my arms can reach.’ It gets me choked up. I just love her so much. Last Christmas, she gave me a whole mannequin, done in her proportions and wearing her outfit. It’s so major.”
The Love Between Miley Cyrus & Dolly Parton
In a November 2025 interview with People, Parton praised Cyrus for trying new things “Just like Miley [Cyrus], my goddaughter, I love her. She’s always trying new things. Some of them work great, some of them don’t, but she’s learned a lot,” she said. “If you don’t have the nerve to try it, you’re never going to know. That’s kind of like my philosophy.”
Parton honored Cyrus on her birthday in 2023, sharing a sweet photo of them on Instagram. “Happy birthday @MileyCyrus! I can’t wait to celebrate with you and ring in the new year!!,” she wrote in the caption. This is just a small glimpse into the beautiful relationship that they shared.
The news of Parton’s death has shocked many. “My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you,” Seaver said. “She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not. Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever.”
He continued, “Dolly was a farmer, just like her daddy; he farmed the soil, she farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
