Country music legend Dolly Parton has died at age 80 following a battle with cancer on August 25, a date goddaughter Miley Cyrus calls important.
The 80-year-old country star passed away at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee, after previously being hospitalised for autoimmune and kidney issues. Her death marks another major event occurring on August 25, a date that Cyrus has long noted as having spooky significance in her life and career.
Cyrus, 33, paid tribute to her godmother on social media following the announcement of Parton's death on Tuesday. She wrote: 'I can't believe we just lost the purest soul. Rest in Glory, Dolly. My heart aches.'
Parton became the godmother of the former Disney star in 1992, establishing a close bond that lasted more than three decades. In addition to their personal relationship, Parton appeared alongside Cyrus in the Disney Channel television series Hannah Montana as Aunt Dolly. The two artists also performed together on stage and collaborated musically over the years. Parton once said of Cyrus: 'I'm so proud of her, love her and she's just like one of my own.'
Details of Dolly Parton's Passing
The passing of the country music legend was first confirmed in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Brian, who also served as her head of security. Parton died in the morning after being hospitalised on Friday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ.
Following the announcement of her death, representatives for Parton confirmed to People magazine that the singer died after a brief battle with cancer, though they did not specify the exact type of cancer. Her death shocked fans worldwide and followed months of health struggles that forced her to pull out of a series of public appearances. Friends and associates close to the singer noted that she had become increasingly reclusive and private about her declining health in recent months.
A statement released by Parton's representatives read: 'Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.'
Her representatives also highlighted Parton's extensive philanthropic contributions, citing the hundreds of millions of books distributed through her Imagination Library literacy program and her financial support for research that helped develop a lifesaving vaccine used worldwide. 'Dolly's unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact,' the statement added.
Miley Cyrus and the Significance of August 25
For Cyrus, Parton's death adds another deeply personal event to a date that has consistently marked key moments in her personal life and professional career. In 2023, while promoting her single Used to Be Young, Cyrus revealed that she chose August 25 as the song's release date on purpose. Cyrus stated at the time: '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 explained that Used to Be Young was written two years before its eventual release, during a period when she felt widely misunderstood. Reflecting on the track, which features the lyrics, 'I know I used to be crazy / I know I used to be fun / You say I used to be wild / I say I used to be young,' Cyrus said: 'It was at a time I felt misunderstood. I have spent the last 18 months painting a sonic picture of my perspective to share with you.'
The date August 25 also carries long-standing personal significance for Cyrus' family. It marks the birthday of her father, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, who was born on August 25, 1961.
Relationship Milestones and Divorce Filings
August 25 has also coincided with major developments in Cyrus' romantic life, particularly regarding her relationship with Australian actor Liam Hemsworth. News first broke on August 25, 2010, that Cyrus had split from Hemsworth after dating for one year following their co-starring roles in the romantic drama film The Last Song.
The couple later rekindled their romance and became engaged before calling off their relationship in 2014. They reunited once again in 2016 and married in a private ceremony in December 2018. However, the marriage ended after less than a year, with Hemsworth officially filing for divorce on August 25, 2019, citing irreconcilable differences.
Career Milestones and Public Transformation
In terms of her musical career, August 25, 2013, represented a major turning point for Cyrus with the release of her single Wrecking Ball. The track became a global success and earned Cyrus her first number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
On that same date in 2013, Cyrus delivered a heavily publicised performance at the MTV Video Music Awards alongside singer Robin Thicke. Dressed in a nude latex bikini, Cyrus twerked and performed with a giant foam finger, creating a viral moment that marked a sharp departure from her former child star persona.
Reflecting on the controversy in an interview for Wonderland magazine's spring 2018 issue, Cyrus noted that the performance transformed her outlook. She stated: 'Not only was culture changed, but my life and career were changed forever. It inspired me to use my platform for something much bigger. If the world is going to focus on me and what I am doing, then what I am doing should be impactful and it should be great.'
Cyrus demonstrated that focus at the 2014 VMAs by using her platform to raise awareness for youth homelessness. The night before the ceremony, Jesse Helt, a homeless youth, accepted an award in her honour at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards. In a statement shared with E! News, Cyrus said: 'I'm just getting started. And I want to make sure my fans are part of helping me to give back and make an impact on this issue; we all have the power to make change happen.'
She expanded on her statement, adding: 'This is about helping youth, people just like you and me have the opportunity to find their inner power and potential, no matter what their circumstances.'
