If you’ve ever found yourself humming along to "Achy Breaky Heart" while watching old Disney Channel reruns, you already know the answer to who is miley cyrus dad. It’s Billy Ray Cyrus. But honestly, just knowing his name barely scratches the surface. In 2026, the story of this father-daughter duo is way more complicated than a simple IMDB credit. They’ve gone from being the "world’s favorite TV family" to not speaking for years, and finally—thankfully—landing in a place of mutual respect.
Billy Ray Cyrus isn’t just "Miley's dad" or the guy with the legendary mullet from the '90s. He’s a Kentucky-born singer who basically kickstarted the line-dancing craze of the 20th century. By the time Miley (born Destiny Hope Cyrus) came along in 1992, he was already a massive star. But fame is a weird thing. It builds houses and pays for private jets, but as the Cyrus family learned, it can also tear a living room apart.
The Man Behind the Mullet: Who is Billy Ray Cyrus?
Before he was Robby Ray Stewart on Hannah Montana, Billy Ray was a struggling musician living in his car. No joke. He spent years playing dive bars in the Ohio River Valley before hitting it big with Some Gave All in 1992. That album stayed at number one on the Billboard 200 for 17 consecutive weeks.
To put that in perspective: that's longer than most modern pop stars stay relevant in a single TikTok cycle.
He’s a man of faith, a lover of traditional country music, and someone who has always worn his heart on his sleeve—sometimes to a fault. People forget he actually has six kids. While Miley is the most famous, there’s also Brandi, Trace, Braison, Noah, and Christopher Cody. It’s a big, blended, and often chaotic family tree that has been under a microscope for over three decades.
Why the World Obsesses Over Their Relationship
Most people want to know about who is miley cyrus dad because they grew up watching them together. Hannah Montana wasn't just a show; it was a cultural reset for a whole generation. Seeing a real-life dad play a fictional dad made us feel like we knew them.
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But reality doesn't have a laugh track.
Billy Ray famously told GQ years ago that the show "destroyed" his family. He felt the pressure of the Disney machine and the transition Miley made into adulthood (remember the 2013 VMA performance?) created a rift. For a while there, things were rough. You've probably seen the headlines about them unfollowing each other on Instagram or skipping big life events. It was a classic case of growing pains played out on a global stage.
The 2022 Divorce and the "Great Estrangement"
Things took a sharp turn when Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus (Miley’s mom) finally called it quits in 2022 after nearly 30 years of marriage. That was a massive breaking point. Miley is notoriously close to her mother—calling Tish her "hero" in a recent interview with David Letterman—and she reportedly took on a lot of her mother's pain during the split.
Then came the new marriages.
- Tish married Prison Break actor Dominic Purcell in 2023.
- Billy Ray had a short, whirlwind marriage to singer Firerose before they split in 2024.
- More recently, Billy Ray has been spotted with Elizabeth Hurley, which definitely kept the tabloid writers busy.
For about two years, Miley and Billy Ray were essentially estranged. They weren't talking. They weren't seen together. When Miley won her first Grammy for "Flowers" in 2024, she notably omitted her father from her thank-you speech. Fans noticed. The internet exploded. It seemed like the end of an era.
Rebuilding the Bridge in 2026
If you’re looking for the current status of who is miley cyrus dad and where they stand right now, it’s actually looking up. Healing takes time, but music usually speeds it up in the Cyrus household.
The turning point happened late in 2025. Miley released a song called "Secrets," which she described as a "peace offering" to someone she had lost but always loved. It was a vulnerability we hadn't seen from her in a while. Even cooler? She got members of Fleetwood Mac—specifically Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood—to play on it.
Billy Ray’s reaction? He called it the "best birthday gift a dad could ever ask for."
Learning to be Individuals
In a 2025 interview with The New York Times, Miley explained her new perspective. She said she’s stopped looking at her parents as "a parental pairing" and started seeing them as individuals. That’s a huge shift. It’s that moment in your 30s when you realize your parents are just people who are trying to figure it out, just like you are.
She's grateful for his "map." Even when he was showing her what not to do, he was still guiding her. He gave her the "genes" (and the hair, as she likes to joke), but more importantly, he gave her a front-row seat to the reality of the music business.
Is Billy Ray Cyrus Still Making Music?
He hasn't slowed down. Even as he approaches his mid-60s, Billy Ray is still a staple in the country world. He’s currently promoting his latest album, The Other Side, and has been hinting at more tour dates throughout 2026.
He’s also leaning into his legacy. You’ll still hear him play "Old Town Road" at his shows because, let’s be honest, that remix with Lil Nas X was one of the biggest comeback stories in music history. It proved that Billy Ray knows how to reinvent himself, a trait he clearly passed down to Miley.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
Understanding the dynamic of who is miley cyrus dad offers more than just celebrity gossip. It’s a lesson in family resilience.
- Forgiveness is a Choice: The Cyrus reconciliation didn't happen by accident; it happened because both parties decided the relationship was worth the work of "musical medicine."
- Separate Personhood from Parenthood: Like Miley, you might find more peace with your own parents if you stop judging them through the lens of your childhood and start seeing them as adults with their own flaws and heartbreaks.
- Creative Collaboration Heals: If you’re struggling with a relationship, find a common language. For the Cyruses, it was a song. For you, it might be a shared hobby or just a simple, honest conversation.
The story of Billy Ray and Miley isn't over. They've moved past the Hannah Montana days and the "Achy Breaky" drama into a phase of quiet, adult respect. It’s not perfect—no family is—but they’re talking again. And in the world of Hollywood, that’s a win.
Keep an eye on their socials for more collaborations. With Braison and Noah also releasing music in 2026, a full family project isn't as crazy as it used to sound. They've realized that at the end of the day, they're more than just stars; they're a family.
Check your favorite streaming platforms for Miley's latest tracks to hear that "peace offering" for yourself.