Billy Ray Cyrus expresses heartbreak over Dolly Parton’s death

Billy Ray Cyrus has admitted that his heart is “broken” after the death of Dolly Parton.

The 65-year-old Achy Breaky Heart hitmaker was close friends with the late country icon, who died recently at the age of 80, and Billy admitted he will now think of life as Before Dolly and After Dolly.

He shared a picture of them together on Instagram and wrote, “Rest in Peace Miss Dolly. This is the last performance she and I did together in Dollywood for her Christmas special. We sang Christmas Where We Are!”

“What most people don’t know is Dolly moved the entire film schedule shoot date because my mom Ruthie had passed away. Dolly Parton. You have touched the hearts of the world. You have made your mark and made it well. A shining light that will shine on beyond the sun and moon … and certainly this crazy planet,” he added of Dolly’s compassion.

“From this day henceforth is forever known as, at least in my broken heart, as After Dolly. A.D. 8.25.26 A.D.”

Billy Ray’s mother Ruth Ann Ruthie Casto died in 2022.

Meanwhile, Billy previously shared his great love and respect for Dolly and revealed her reaction to outrageous claims they were having an affair back in the early '90s.

He wrote on Instagram previously, “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. 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,” Billy recalled in his caption.

"In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked, and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records!'”

Along with the light- hearted memory, Billy Ray also revealed the Jolene singer sent him a "beautiful message" shortly before her death.

"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,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Billy Ray’s daughter Miley Cyrus, also paid tribute to her godmother Dolly following the late star’s death.

The Wrecking Ball singer shared on Instagram, "The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they'll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour between our hearts.”

"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. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis.”

"I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things,” Miley penned in her tribute.

For the unversed, Dolly' Parton’s death was confirmed in a video on August 25, 2026, from her nephew Bryan Seaver, which he shared on her Instagram and X accounts.