Dolly Parton's heartwarming reaction to discovering she and goddaughter Miley Cyrus are related
Dolly Parton was not surprised to discover she was related to goddaughter Miley Cyrus after always saying the Hannah Montana star felt 'like a daughter'.
The '9 to 5' hitmaker sadly died earlier this week aged 80 after a 'brief battle with cancer', with a statement from her representatives saying: "Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched.
"Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand."
Parton, Cyrus' godmother, spoke regularly about her close relationship with her fellow musician, so the pair were delighted to discover they are blood-related.
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The duo are seventh cousins once removed, according to Ancestry, having shared a common ancestor from Tennessee.
John Brickey is Parton's sixth-great-grandfather, while he's also Cyrus' seventh-great-grandfather.
Speaking to Access Hollywood to share the blood-relation news in 2024, Parton said: "It doesn't surprise me because she does feel like family. I've always said she feels like a niece or a child.
"We're so close, Miley and I. I would've thought we'd have been at least third cousins, 10 times removed. I'm sure she'll get a kick out of that."
Cyrus had previously told W magazine that Parton had 'been like a mother to me', adding: "It gets me choked up. I just love her so much. Last Christmas, she gave me a whole mannequin, done in her proportions and wearing her outfit. It's so major."
Shortly after Parton's tragic death was announced earlier this week, Cyrus took to Instagram to share her heartbreak.
She wrote: "The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share.
"Our most sacred moments were private and they'll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts.
"What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis.
"I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply. We're in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things."
Cyrus' dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, also shared a touching tribute to the late great Parton.
The 'Achy Breaky Heart' singer - who toured with Parton in the early 1990s - penned: "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 TV’s, right in our living rooms.
"In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, 'Honey, this trash sells records!'
"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."
Topics: Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus
Callum Jones