Billy Ray Cyrus and Ex Tish Both Send Condolences to Friend Dolly Parton After Husband Carl Dean's Death

Mar. 15, 2025

Tish Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus and Dolly Parton.Photo:Francis Specker/CBS via Getty

Francis Specker/CBS via Getty

Billy Ray Cyrusand his ex-wifeTishare both thinking about longtime friendDolly Partonafter the death of her husband,Carl Dean

Meanwhile, Tish, 57, commented, “Love you Dolly ❤️.”

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean.Courtesy of Dolly Parton

Parton and Billy Ray have been close friends for decades, having grown close after they toured together in the 1990s while he promoted the hit “Achy Breaky Heart.”

“I was on tour and then Billy toured with me and so that’s how we just got to be good friends, because he’s a Kentucky boy, I’m from Tennessee,” she previously told SiriusXM’sThe Howard Stern Show.

Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

“Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus are seventh cousins, once removed! Their common ancestor is John Brickey, born in 1740 in Virginia,” read a statement from Ancestry during Parton’s interview withAccess Hollywood.

The company added of Brickey, “He later moved to Blount County, Tennessee with his wife and children and remained there until his death in 1806. The Brickey family originated from France and the family came to the United States in the late 1600s.” [Both Parton and Cyrus are from Tennessee.]

Parton said in reaction, “Is that true? That’s amazing!”

“Well, we’re so close, Miley and I. I would’ve thought we would’ve been at least third cousins, 10 times removed,” she joked.

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean.Dolly Parton/Instagram

Dolly Parton/Instagram

He and Parton tied the knot in 1966. “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,” her post continued. “The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.”

His cause of death was not immediately announced.

Billy Ray and Tish were married for 30 years before she filed for divorce in April 2022. Together, they share sons Trace, 36, andBraison, 30, and daughtersBrandi, 37, Miley, 32, andNoah, 25. (Billy Ray is also dad to son Christopher, 32).

source: people.com