Miley Cyrus has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her godmother, Dolly Parton, detailing the final conversation they shared.
As previously reported, the country music icon died this week at the age of 80, having privately battled cancer.
The news was shared with fans by her nephew, Brian Seaver, who had also worked as her head of security, who said in a video: “My name is Brian Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.
“As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
He added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness.
“But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”
Following the heartbreaking news, Cyrus shared a tribute of her own on Instagram, alongside a stunning portrait of her godmother.
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.”
Revealing details of one of their last conversations, Cyrus added: “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.”
Miley Cyrus shared a heartbreaking tribute to her godmother Dolly Parton. Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images
The singer’s father, Billy Ray Cyrus, also shared a tribute to Parton, writing: “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.”
He recalled touring with the singer in 1992 as her opening act, when the pair were embroiled in tabloid rumors that they were “having an affair”.
The 65-year-old, who was dating his now ex-wife Tish Cyrus at the time, recalled “walking into [Parton’s] dressing room to apologize,” revealing: “In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records!’”
He also shared one of his final interactions with the icon, adding: “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.”
There was a global outpouring of grief after the news of Parton’s death was announced, with Seaver adding in his statement: “By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open and the doors she opened made and changed history.
“My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you.”
He added that Parton had requested she be laid to rest in a “beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.”
The ‘9 to 5’ singer’s funeral is expected to take place in Nashville, Tennessee, in the coming days, with a “small, private service for immediate family” per TMZ.
