Singer Billy Ray Cyrus received birthday wishes from girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley and shared an emotional tribute to his longtime friend Dolly Parton, who died at the age of 80 on Tuesday.
Cyrus, who turned 65 on Tuesday, was the recipient of birthday messages from Hurley and a star-studded video compilation including his daughters Miley and Noah, Lil Nas X, Shania Twain, and others. The video, which circulated on his birthday, appeared to have been pre-recorded.
Hours after these tributes, news broke of Parton's death. Cyrus, who had a close relationship with the country music legend, expressed his grief.
"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 TVs, right in our living rooms," Cyrus wrote in a tribute.
He recounted a moment in 1992 when tabloid rumors circulated about an affair between him and Parton. "In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, 'Honey, this trash sells records!'" he recalled.
Cyrus also shared what he described as Parton's final words to him: "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."
Fans noted the timing of Cyrus's birthday posts in relation to the news of Parton's death, with some speculating he was unaware of her passing when the video was posted, while others suggested it was a scheduled release.
Cyrus and Parton's friendship began in the early 1990s when he opened for her shortly after the release of his hit "Achy Breaky Heart." Parton was named godmother to Cyrus's daughter Miley in 1992. The two collaborated on the song "Romeo" in 1993, which reached No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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 on Friday for autoimmune and kidney problems. Seaver stated that Parton had requested the video announcement be made years prior. He described his aunt as having "lived in the light" and now being "in the arms of Jesus."
Known as the Queen of Country, Parton's career spanned six decades, with hits like "Jolene" and "9 to 5." Her passing followed months of health concerns that had led her to cancel public appearances. In an interview published just days before her death, Parton stated she still had "so many things I want to achieve" and intended to keep working. She mentioned grappling with health issues she had not prioritized while caring for her husband, Carl Dean.