Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus shared a bond that went far beyond music, but a surprising family discovery made their connection even more special. The two singers learned that they are actually related, with genealogy records showing they are seventh cousins once removed through a shared Tennessee ancestor, John Brickey. For Parton, the news was hardly shocking because she had always felt that Cyrus was more than her goddaughter. She once described Miley as being “like one of my own,” having known her since she was a baby. Their relationship grew through years of performances, family moments and Cyrus’s time as Hannah Montana, when Parton even appeared as her famous “Aunt Dolly.” Speaking about their newly discovered family connection, Parton said she believed they must have been related somehow because of how naturally close they had always been. She joked that she would have expected them to be much closer relatives, saying their bond made the discovery feel almost inevitable.

Cyrus had also spoken openly about the powerful role Parton played in her life, describing her godmother as being like a mother to her. Their connection remained strong throughout Cyrus’s career, even as she moved far beyond her Disney beginnings and developed her own identity as an artist. Parton consistently supported her and encouraged her to follow her own path, just as she had done in her own career. After Parton’s passing, Cyrus remembered her as “Aunt Dolly” and shared an emotional tribute, reflecting on their private conversations and the lessons she had received from her. She recalled that one of their final conversations centered on music and change, something that seemed especially meaningful in the moment. For Cyrus, the discovery that they shared family roots added another beautiful layer to a relationship that already felt like family. Their story remains a touching reminder that sometimes the strongest family connections are built through love first—and confirmed by a family tree later.