Billy Ray, the father of Dolly’s goddaughter Miley, had decades of memories with her, but one of their final private exchanges now carries a completely different weight.

Dolly Parton Passes Away at 80: Donald Trump Makes a Surprise Move as Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, Jane Fonda, and More Pay Tribute
The two supported each other’s careers throughout their lives, and Dolly provided the much-needed guidance to her goddaughter. Dolly also acknowledged that she and Miley always had sweet things to say about one another. And while this may “sound gushy” to others, she credited their relationship for being “truly real.”Country Music

Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus appear on “Mountain Magic Christmas” on May 8, 2022. | Source: Getty Images
Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus appear on “Mountain Magic Christmas” on May 8, 2022. | Source: Getty Images

Long before she became a global icon, Dolly Parton grew up in humble circumstances that would shape everything about her — including the values she later passed on to her goddaughter.