Is Dolly Parton Miley Cyrus' Godmother? Hannah Montana Star Learned 'Terrible Habit' From Late Singer

Dolly Parton, the legendary singer and beloved godmother to Miley Cyrus, died on Tuesday after a brief cancer battle. She passed away at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones, leaving behind a profound legacy and deep ties to the Hannah Montana star.

Dolly's passing occurred on 25 August, a date holding immense significance for Cyrus. The pop star famously dropped her single 'Used To Be Young' on this exact day in 2023, noting the date was historically important to her personal life.

A decade earlier, 25 August 2013 cemented itself in pop culture history. Cyrus released her first Billboard No. 1 hit, 'Wrecking Ball', and delivered a heavily scrutinised performance at the MTV Video Music Awards alongside Robin Thicke. While the world focused on the controversy, the date became inseparable from Cyrus' career trajectory—and, years later, from her bond with Parton.

Dolly Parton And Miley Cyrus Godmother Bond

Their relationship transcended standard Hollywood mentorship. Parton was a longtime friend of parents Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus, and a distant cousin. To a generation of Disney Channel viewers, she was simply Aunt Dolly. The country legend brought her signature warmth to Hannah Montana as Miley Stewart's godmother on the show; off-screen, she has long been Cyrus' real-life godmother.

'Is this the same girl who came to me and said, "I want to be a singer?"' Parton asked in a season one episode. 'And I said, Sweet Pea, the chances of that happening are one in a million.' That television dynamic closely mirrored their off-screen reality.

Cyrus recently credited her godmother for inspiring March's Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special. She confessed to learning a unique approach to business from Parton that proved to be phenomenal advice.

'I learned this terrible habit – but I actually think it was good advice – from Dolly,' Cyrus explained in an interview with Variety. 'She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists. Then no one can say no.' It is the kind of mad brilliance only Parton could pass down.

Dolly Parton Death Ends Legendary Music Collaborations

The pair collaborated consistently. They performed 'Jolene' together in several live duo appearances, and most recently appeared on a 2026 version of 'Light of a Clear Blue Morning' with Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire and Queen Latifah. That track, released for Parton's 80th birthday, benefited cancer research.

Parton even covered 'Wrecking Ball' for her 2023 album Rockstar. 'To involve Miley in my rock 'n' roll album, I thought, well, I have to do Wrecking Ball,' Parton noted. The pair had previously combined the track with Parton's 'I Will Always Love You' during a New Year's Eve performance in 2022.

Family Shares Dolly Parton Final Funeral Plans

Now, fans are mourning the icon. A private memorial service will be held for the immediate family. Representatives asked admirers to donate to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library instead of sending flowers.

Nephew Bryan Seaver shared her final resting wishes in a touching video message, noting she wanted to be laid to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton. After a life wearing heavy rhinestones, he explained, she finally deserves to be comfortable. It is a quiet exit for a loud legend.