Billy Ray Cyrus and ex-wife Tish offer comfort to friend Dolly Parton after husband Carl Dean’s death
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Billy Ray Cyrus and his ex-wife, Tish Cyrus, who have shared a deep friendship with Dolly Parton for decades, expressed their heartfelt condolences to her after the death of her husband, Carl Dean.
Dean, who was married to Parton for nearly 60 years, died on March 3 at the age of 82.
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Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus send love and support to Dolly Parton
In an emotional Instagram post, Parton announced his death, writing, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy. The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.”
Shortly after her announcement, Billy Ray left a comment on her post, sending his love and support, “Sending you all of my love @dollyparton!”
His words were accompanied by broken heart and prayer hands emojis, symbolizing his sorrow and prayers for Parton.
Tish also shared a message of love, simply writing, “Love you, Dolly.”
A friendship forged through music and shared southern roots
Billy Ray and Parton’s friendship dates back to the early 1990s when the two toured together while Billy Ray was promoting his breakout hit, 'Achy Breaky Heart.'
Their strong connection was built on their shared Southern roots, Billy Ray hails from Kentucky, while Parton was born and raised in Tennessee.
Speaking about their friendship during an interview on SiriusXM’s 'The Howard Stern Show', Parton recalled, "I was on tour, and then Billy toured with me, and that’s how we just got to be good friends, because he’s a Kentucky boy, I’m from Tennessee."
Over the years, their bond grew even stronger, leading to Parton becoming the godmother of Billy Ray and Tish’s daughter, Miley Cyrus.
Surprising family connection between Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus
Beyond their professional and personal ties, Parton and the Cyrus family recently discovered an even deeper connection, they are actually distant relatives.
In 2023, the genealogy company Ancestry revealed that Parton and Miley Cyrus are seventh cousins.
Their common ancestor, John Brickey, was born in 1740 in Virginia before later settling in Blount County, Tennessee, where he lived until his death in 1806.
Parton and Billy Ray both have roots in Tennessee. When Parton learned of the connection during an interview with Access Hollywood, she was shocked and delighted.
“Is that true? That's amazing!” she exclaimed.
“Well, we're so close, Miley and I. I would've thought we would've been at least third cousins, 10 times removed,” she said.
Carl Dean’s legacy and private life
Unlike Dolly Parton, who has remained one of the most recognizable figures in entertainment, Carl Dean preferred to stay out of the limelight, running his own business in Tennessee and rarely making public appearances with his wife.
Throughout their marriage, Parton respected Dean’s privacy, often keeping their personal life out of interviews and social media.
“He’s always been a quiet, reserved person, and that’s part of why I love him,” she once said in an interview.
“He lets me be me, and I let him be him,” she added.
According to Parton’s statement, Dean will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with only immediate family in attendance, as per People.
His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
