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Miley Cyrus Mourns Dolly Parton With Instagram Tribute

8/26/2026

Summary

Miley Cyrus Mourns

Miley Cyrus posted an Instagram tribute mourning godmother Dolly Parton after Parton’s death on Aug. 25.
Cyrus wrote that Parton would want her to feel grief, write a song, and stay strong.
Parton, who died at age 80 following a brief cancer battle, became Cyrus’s honorary godmother in 1992.
They co-wrote “Rainbowland” for Cyrus’s 2017 Younger Now album and recorded a “Wrecking Ball” cover for Parton’s 2023 Rockstar album.

Summary

Parton Tributes

Chocowinity Middle School in Carolina held a tribute, played Parton’s hits, and lowered the flag.
Fans gathered at Chicago’s Edgewater mural, leaving letters, hats and memorabilia for Parton.
The British royal guard performed “9 to 5” during Changing of the Guard.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee declared Jan. 19 Dolly Parton Day; Walk of Fame and Sevier Courthouse held tributes.
Imagination Library, operating in the U.K. since 2007, was cited as a legacy.

History

Historical Context

In 1995, Dolly Parton launched the Imagination Library, a free-book program that pledged one book per child annually across the United States. By 2023, the Library had distributed over 150 million books, reaching more than 2 million children in 40 countries through partnerships with schools and libraries. Today, after Parton’s August 25 death, Miley Cyrus posted an Instagram tribute and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee declared Dolly Parton Day, reflecting the program’s reverence. The enduring reach of Parton’s literacy initiative ensures that future generations will commemorate her cultural legacy through music, philanthropy, and community remembrance.

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Miley Cyrus Mourns

Miley Cyrus posted an Instagram tribute mourning godmother Dolly Parton after Parton’s death on Aug. 25.
Cyrus wrote that Parton would want her to feel grief, write a song, and stay strong.
Parton, who died at age 80 following a brief cancer battle, became Cyrus’s honorary godmother in 1992.
They co-wrote “Rainbowland” for Cyrus’s 2017 Younger Now album and recorded a “Wrecking Ball” cover for Parton’s 2023 Rockstar album.

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