Noah Cyrus has shared a touching tribute to her godmother, country music legend Dolly Parton, following Parton's death at age 80. Parton died on Tuesday after a brief battle with cancer, her team confirmed in a statement.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, Noah Cyrus reflected on Parton's impact, describing her as "singular, one of a kind" and "a rainbow to our world for nearly six decades." She added that Parton's kindness, compassion, and empathy were at the core of her being.
"Her impact on the world, and on me as an artist, is unparalleled," Noah Cyrus wrote. "She was an angel among us who not only wrote songs that spoke to us all, but whose kindness, compassion, and empathy toward those who truly needed it were at the core of who dolly was."
Noah Cyrus highlighted Parton's ability to remain true to herself and her commitment to helping others, both through her music and her actions. She expressed gratitude for Parton's influence on her own artistic journey, including her distinctive style and songwriting.
"Her beautiful relationship with my family, especially my sister, is one i will be grateful for my entire life," Noah Cyrus stated. "I am so grateful to her for inspiring me to be who i am, wear those wigs, have those long nails, to write my stories, and to heal people through music."
While heartbroken by Parton's physical absence, Noah Cyrus believes her spirit and music will endure. "She will now live in our hearts, and her music will continue to be a friend when lonely, and to celebrate with happiness," she wrote. "It will inspire and encourage young songwriters that will discover and learn from the Great Dolly Parton."
This tribute follows a message from Noah's sister, Miley Cyrus, who also posted a heartfelt farewell to her godmother. Miley described her relationship with Parton as sacred and spoke of her enduring presence. "What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong," Miley wrote on Instagram. "I have an angel by my side. I always have."
Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus shared a lifelong bond. Parton became Miley's godmother shortly after her birth, having known her father for years. "I've known her since she was a baby," Parton previously told GMA. "Her father's a friend of mine, and when she was born, he said, 'You just have to be her godmother,' and I said, 'I accept.'"
Dolly Parton even made a guest appearance on Miley's Disney Channel series Hannah Montana in 2006. Parton expressed admiration for Miley's talent, telling AOL Music in 2008, "She writes songs like she's 40 years old! She's really deep."
Parton's death occurred after being hospitalized at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, confirmed her passing in an Instagram video, stating she was now "in the arms of Jesus" and reunited with her late husband, Carl Dean. Seaver remembered his aunt as someone who "lived in the light" and compared her to her farmer father, noting that she "farmed songs and happiness."