Country music legend Dolly Parton, godmother to singer Miley Cyrus, died on August 25 at the age of 80, marking a day that holds significant personal and professional meaning for Cyrus.
Parton's death was announced on a Tuesday, a date Cyrus has previously identified as important to her. "I decided to release Used To Be Young on August 25 because this particular date historically has been important to me personally and in my career," Cyrus stated in 2023 while promoting the song. She described the song, released on that date, as a reflection of a period when she felt misunderstood.
August 25 has been the date of several pivotal moments in Cyrus's life. In 2010, news broke of her split from Liam Hemsworth, a relationship that had an on-again, off-again trajectory. Their final split saw Hemsworth file for divorce on August 25, 2019.
IMAGE8:
On August 25, 2013, Cyrus released her hit single "Wrecking Ball," which became her first to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The same day, she delivered a notable performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, an event that marked a significant shift in her public image, helping to shed her child star persona and signaling a more mature artistic direction.
IMAGE5:
Cyrus also noted that August 25 is the birthday of her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. The date's recurring significance now includes the loss of her beloved godmother.
IMAGE6:
Parton and Cyrus shared a close bond, with Parton serving as godmother since 1992 and also appearing as Aunt Dolly in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana. Parton's representatives confirmed her death, stating she passed away after a brief battle with cancer at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. They highlighted Parton's lifelong dedication to bringing joy and hope, as well as her philanthropic efforts, including the Imagination Library program and funding research for a life-saving vaccine.