Miley Cyrus Mourns Godmother Dolly Parton in Emotional Tribute: ‘I Have an Angel by My Side’

For Miley Cyrus, losing Dolly Parton meant saying goodbye to far more than a country music icon: She lost her godmother and the woman she had called Aunt Dolly her entire life.

As Star previously reported, Parton died Tuesday, August 25, at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer. The next day, the Grammy winner, 33, shared a public tribute to Parton in an emotional Instagram post.

Expressing her grief, Miley wrote in the statement, “The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share.”

The “Flowers” singer explained that their most meaningful moments would remain private, with Miley believing Parton would want her to process the grief through music.

“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,” Miley added. “One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis. 🦋.”

Parton had been part of Miley’s life since infancy: Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, toured with Parton in the 1990s and asked her to be his daughter’s godmother before Miley was born, according to American Songwriter.

Their connection later played a role in Hannah Montana, with Parton playing Aunt Dolly to Miley’s character Miley Stewart.

Miley told Variety in March that Parton’s advice inspired her to promote the show’s 20th anniversary special before it existed in order to make it happen. The pair also performed “Jolene” together on The Voice, at the 2019 Grammy Awards and during Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party.

Miley and the “Jolene” singer also co-wrote “Rainbowland” for Miley’s 2017 album Younger Now and recorded music together for Parton’s Christmas album A Holly Dolly Christmas.