Dolly Parton’s death is reportedly hitting Miley Cyrus especially hard. The two shared a bond that began when Cyrus was born and continued throughout her life. According to an insider, the Queen of Country was someone Cyrus relied on as both a godmother and a maternal figure. Now, the source claims that losing her has left Cyrus facing an especially difficult period.
Miley Cyrus reportedly struggles privately after Dolly Parton’s death
As Rob Shuter’s Naughty But Nice reports, Miley Cyrus is finding it difficult to cope with the death of her godmother, Dolly Parton. An insider claims the loss has affected her on a deeply personal level because Parton was much more than a godmother to her.
“Miley is in a very dark place right now,” the source said. They claimed she had always known “this day would eventually come,” but that did little to prepare her for actually losing Parton. The insider added that Cyrus is “absolutely heartbroken” by the loss.
Cyrus has also given fans a glimpse into the depth of her grief. In a heartfelt tribute following the legendary singer’s death, she called Parton an “angel” by her side and wrote, “I will always love her and want to make her proud.” She also acknowledged that some of their most meaningful memories would remain “private” and “stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.”
Their relationship dates back to 1992. Parton became Cyrus’ godmother that year, and their connection remained strong as the “Wrecking Ball” singer grew up. Over the years, Parton is said to have become a trusted figure in both her personal life and career.
In fact, Cyrus has previously spoken about just how meaningful that relationship was. In 2024, she said Parton was “like a mother to me.” The “Hannah Montana” star also once called her godmother “the most loved person on the planet.”
Music naturally became another important part of their relationship. The pair performed together on multiple occasions and shared the stage at major events. They also appeared together on Cyrus’ New Year’s Eve special and at the Grammys.
Their connection extended to television, too. Parton appeared as Aunt Dolly on “Hannah Montana,” bringing a version of their real-life bond to the Disney Channel series. For Cyrus, those memories understandably make the loss even more personal. “This isn’t Miley losing another music legend,” the insider explained. Instead, they claimed Cyrus is grieving someone “who helped raise her, guided her career and loved her unconditionally.”
That history could explain why the singer’s grief may be so profound. Cyrus has previously acknowledged that Parton’s place in her life could never truly be replaced. She once said nobody could fill her “crystallized shoes.” Now, according to the source, Cyrus may need time to come to terms with her loss. “This one is going to hurt for a very long time,” the insider claimed.
Originally reported by Zahrah Patel on Reality Tea.
