Miley Cyrus is mourning her Aunt Dolly.
The pop star, who counted Dolly Parton as a longtime mentor, collaborator and godmother, paid tribute to the country icon a day after the 80-year-old singer diedon Aug. 25.
"The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share. Our most sacred moments were private and they'll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour & between our hearts," Cyrus captioned a throwback photo of Parton. "What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong."
The beloved cultural icon and "Queen of Country" died surrounded by loved ones at a Nashville medical center after briefly battling cancer, her representatives confirmed to USA TODAY.
Dolly Parton dead at 80 after cancer battle, Miley Cyrus pays tribute
"I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis," Cyrus continued. "I will always love her and want to make her proud."
Parton, in addition to being Cyrus' godmother, was a longtime friend of her parents, Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus, and technically a seventh cousin, once removed. She appeared in her goddaughter's hit breakout Disney series, "Hannah Montana," playing her real-life role as Aunt Dolly on screen.
The pair were also frequent collaborators, including several live duo performances of "Jolene," on Cyrus' 2017 song "Rainbowland" about LGBTQ+ acceptance. In 2023, Parton enlisted Cyrus to cover "Wrecking Ball" for her rock album "Rockstar," after a highly praised New Year's Eve Party performance on NBC in 2022.
And Parton's 2026 version of "Light of a Clear Blue Morning," a new version of the 1977 song featuring Cyrus with Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire and Queen Latifah, was released in honor of Parton's 80th birthday and benefiting cancer research.
After Parton's death, fans resurfaced a 2023 video of Cyrus discussing the release of her single "Used To Be Young" on Aug. 25, in which the singer called the date "historically ... important to me personally and in my career."
The "Flowers" singer acknowledged Parton's impact not just on herself but on her family and fans worldwide.
"My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply," Cyrus added. "We're in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things."
Dolly Parton funeral plans shared
A private memorial service will be held for immediate family, according to Parton's representative. Fans who would like to pay tribute are encouraged to tag @DollyParton on socials or leave a message at dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary.com.
In a video message to fans, Bryan Seaver, Parton's nephew, said Parton requested to be laid to rest "in a beautiful bed of plush cotton, because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest."
"May God bless Dolly Parton, and may God bless you all. She will always love you," he added.
Contributing: Brendan Morrow, Melissa Ruggieri and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miley Cyrus mourns godmother Dolly Parton after icon's death
