Billy Ray Cyrus celebrated his 65th birthday on Tuesday, a day marked by the death of his close friend and former collaborator Dolly Parton.
Cyrus' girlfriend, Elizabeth Hurley, posted a birthday message to the singer on Tuesday, sharing photos of the couple. "Happy Birthday to my beautiful boyfriend @billyraycyrus - May the next year be our best ever," Hurley wrote.
Soon after Hurley's post, news broke of Parton's death at age 80. Cyrus, who considered Parton a mentor and friend, shared an emotional tribute to the country music legend. He recalled their early 1990s collaborations, including touring together and releasing the song "Romeo" in 1993. Parton was also named godmother to Cyrus' daughter, Miley.
"I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it's hard to know where to start," Cyrus wrote. He recounted a story from 1992 when he went to apologize for tabloid rumors of an affair, to which Parton reportedly responded, "Honey, this trash sells records!" Cyrus also shared that Parton had recently sent him a message expressing her love, adding, "I will always love her in the same way … with my whole heart … and I always will."
Fans noted the timing of Cyrus' birthday tribute video, which featured well-wishes from numerous celebrities, including his daughters Miley and Noah, as well as Lil Nas X and Shania Twain. Many speculated that the video was pre-scheduled and that Cyrus may not have been aware of Parton's passing when it was posted.
Dolly Parton's death was confirmed by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, in an Instagram video. She had been admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville with autoimmune and kidney problems. Parton, a towering figure in country music, had a career spanning six decades, with hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5."