August 25 has repeatedly marked major moments in Miley Cyrus’ life, both personally and professionally. In 2010, news broke that Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth had ended their relationship, while August 25, 2013 became one of the most important days of her career: the audio for “Wrecking Ball” was released and her controversial MTV Video Music Awards performance with Robin Thicke became a worldwide talking point. The date is also the birthday of her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. Cyrus herself acknowledged the date’s importance when she deliberately released the reflective song “Used to Be Young” on August 25, 2023, explaining that the date had historically been meaningful in both her personal life and career.

Three years later, August 25 took on another emotional meaning when Dolly Parton’s family announced the country legend’s passing. Parton had been Miley’s godmother and maintained a close relationship with the Cyrus family for decades, making the date even more significant. Tributes quickly arrived from political leaders, entertainers, and longtime friends, while Parton’s philanthropic work—including the Imagination Library, which has distributed more than 200 million books—was remembered alongside her music. Jane Fonda, Oprah Winfrey, and former presidents were among those honoring her, while Billy Ray Cyrus revealed that one of Parton’s recent messages told him she loved him “with her whole heart.” For Miley, August 25 now connects a breakup, a career-changing performance, major songs, her father’s birthday, and the loss of one of the most important figures in her life.