Billy Ray Cyrus honours Dolly Parton after her death
Developing story first seen 3 hours ago
Billy Ray Cyrus's tribute to Dolly Parton faced fresh scrutiny after it emerged the message came roughly two hours after he had posted a celebratory birthday video for himself, prompting confused fan reaction over whether he already knew of her death when he shared it. The country singer, a decades-long friend and collaborator who named Parton godmother to his daughter Miley, ultimately paid emotional tribute recalling their history together, including a fond memory of Parton brushing off 1990s affair rumours between them.
Parton died on Tuesday at 80, with her death confirmed via an Instagram video from her nephew and head of security, Bryan Seaver, who said she had asked him years earlier to make the announcement when the time came. She had been admitted to Nashville's Vanderbilt University Medical Center the previous Friday with autoimmune and kidney problems, and loved ones rushed to reach her, though not everyone made it in time. In his statement, Cyrus recalled apologising to Parton in 1992 over tabloid affair rumours, to which she reportedly replied, "Honey, this trash sells records", and said she had recently told him she loved him "with her whole heart".
- Cyrus's tribute followed his own birthday video by about two hours
- Timing sparked confused fan reaction over what he knew and when
- Parton, 80, died after hospitalisation; nephew confirmed news via Instagram
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Billy Ray Cyrus and Dolly Parton were close friends and musical collaborators for more than three decades. They met in the early 1990s, released the duet "Romeo" together in 1993, and Parton became godmother to Cyrus's daughter, the singer and actress Miley Cyrus.
Their friendship was, for a time, dogged by tabloid rumours of an affair in 1992, which both later addressed publicly and dismissed. Parton, widely regarded as one of country music's most beloved and enduring stars, was 80 years old and had recently been admitted to hospital in Nashville with autoimmune and kidney problems before her death.
The story centres on how Cyrus chose to mark her death, drawing on their long personal history and past exchanges between them, which has prompted public interest and comment given the timing of his post relative to other recent activity on his own social media.
Full account
Reports said country singer Dolly Parton had died aged 80, with her nephew Bryan Seaver said to have confirmed the news in an Instagram video. In response, Billy Ray Cyrus published a tribute recalling a friendship that began when he supported Parton on tour in the early 1990s.
Cyrus wrote that Parton had been a familiar presence throughout his childhood and said he struggled to choose from their many shared memories. He recalled approaching her in 1992 to apologise for tabloid claims that the pair were having an affair, saying Parton had dismissed the stories with humour.
The singer also referred to a recent message from Parton in which she told him she loved him “with her whole heart”, and said his feelings for her would remain the same. Cyrus and Parton later recorded the 1993 duet Romeo, while Parton became godmother to his daughter Miley Cyrus.
One report noted that Cyrus had posted a birthday video featuring family members and celebrities shortly before releasing his statement, prompting online speculation about whether it had been scheduled or whether he was processing the news. Separately, another report focused on Parton’s final public appearance: a recorded message for a Dollywood attraction opening in which she said doctors had advised her not to travel because of dizziness and dehydration, while adding that her medical situation was progressing well.
Where outlets differ
Source 1 concentrates on Cyrus’s relationship with Parton, his tribute, their shared professional history and the reaction to his birthday post.
Source 2 concentrates on Parton’s reported death announcement, her recent health comments and the Dollywood video described as her last public appearance. It gives no account of Cyrus’s tribute.
More coverage
- Daily Mail — Dolly Parton looked energized and relaxed in final public appearance just 11 days before her death
- NME — Dolly Parton’s cause of death confirmed
- Daily Mail — ITV News presenter Mary Nightingale looks teary as her voice breaks while announcing Dolly Parton's death and says she needs to 'take a deep breath'
- Far Out — Cause of death for Dolly Parton confirmed as cancer
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Billy Ray Cyrus shares emotional tribute to Dolly Parton and reflects on rumors of their 1992 affair: ‘I will always love her’”.