Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus shared more than their widely known godmother-goddaughter relationship, with genealogical research revealing that the two music stars were also distant biological relatives.
For years, fans knew Parton as Cyrus’s godmother because of the country music legend’s longstanding friendship with Miley’s father, Billy Ray Cyrus. However, research conducted by genealogy company Ancestry later identified an ancestral connection between the performers.
According to the research, Parton and Cyrus were seventh cousins once removed. Their family lines reportedly trace back to a common ancestor named John Brickey, who was born in Virginia in 1740 and later moved to Tennessee.
Genealogy Discovery Confirmed Longstanding Family Connection
Parton welcomed the discovery, saying it reinforced the familial connection she had always felt towards Cyrus. She had frequently described the younger singer in terms resembling a niece or daughter.
Similarly, Cyrus repeatedly described Parton as a mother figure who influenced both her personal life and musical career.
Their relationship also became familiar to younger audiences when Parton appeared as “Aunt Dolly” on the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana.
Musical Partnership Extended Across Generations
Meanwhile, Parton and Cyrus regularly brought their personal bond onto the stage.
The singers performed together on several occasions, including renditions of Parton’s classic “Jolene” and Cyrus’s hit “Wrecking Ball,” highlighting their ability to bridge country and pop music generations.
Following reports of Parton’s death at the age of 80 in August 2026, Cyrus paid an emotional tribute to her longtime godmother.
Cyrus expressed gratitude for Parton’s lasting influence while describing her grief over the loss.
Consequently, the genealogical discovery added another dimension to a relationship already recognised as one of the entertainment industry’s most enduring intergenerational bonds, connecting the two performers through family history as well as decades of personal affection and musical collaboration.
