Billy Ray Cyrus has lived a life that reads like a country song—from his breakout hit “Achy Breaky Heart” to a 2024 full of divorce, sepsis, and family reconciliation.
Full name: Billy Ray Cyrus ·
Born: August 25, 1961 ·
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, actor ·
Net worth: Approximately $20 million ·
Children: 6 (including Miley Cyrus) ·
Notable hit: “Achy Breaky Heart” (1992)
Quick snapshot
- Filed for divorce from Firerose in June 2024 after less than a year of marriage (The Independent (news outlet))
- Survived a sepsis infection in 2024 that caused vocal paralysis (Taste of Country (country music news))
- Divorce from Tish Cyrus finalized in 2022 after 28 years of marriage (E! News (entertainment news))
- Exact status of his relationship with Elizabeth Hurley (dating vs. serious) (ABC News (broadcast network))
- Whether he has fully recovered from the 2024 sepsis health scare (Billboard (music industry publication))
- Financial details—net worth estimates vary widely (Biography (biographical resource))
- Timing of any new album release (ABC News (broadcast network))
- May 22, 2024: Date of separation from Firerose cited in divorce filings (E! News)
- 2024: Sepsis infection and near-fatal health event (Taste of Country)
Key biographical details are summarized below.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Billy Ray Cyrus |
| Born | August 25, 1961 |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, actor |
| Net Worth | Approximately $20 million |
| Children | 6 (including Miley Cyrus) |
| Notable Hit | Achy Breaky Heart |
| Marriages | Tish Cyrus (1993–2022) |
What happened between Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray?
The estrangement period
- Miley and Billy Ray stopped speaking for several years, with BuzzFeed noting speculation emerged in 2024 when Miley omitted him from Grammy acceptance speeches (BuzzFeed (digital media)).
- E! News reported that the father-daughter bond became tense amid the divorce between Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus (E! News (entertainment news)).
Reuniting through music
- ABC News reported that Miley answered “No” when asked outright whether she and Billy Ray were estranged (ABC News (broadcast network)).
- Biography.com noted that Miley’s later music and interviews signaled a repair in the relationship (Biography (biographical resource)).
The implication: the rift was real but transient, and both sides have publicly left the door open for reconciliation.
Who is Billy Ray Cyrus seeing now?
Relationship with Elizabeth Hurley
- Billboard reported that Billy Ray officially began dating Elizabeth Hurley after meeting on a movie set in 2022 (Billboard (music industry publication)).
- ABC News reported they went public as a couple on Easter Sunday, with Hurley calling it a “Real Love Story” (ABC News (broadcast network)).
Other reported romances
- After divorcing Tish in 2022, Billy Ray briefly married Firerose in 2023 before filing for divorce in June 2024, citing irreconcilable differences (The Independent (news outlet)).
Billy Ray’s romantic history shows a pattern of intense public relationships that often overlap with legal drama—his marriage to Firerose lasted less than a year and ended with his legal team describing it as a “nightmare”.
The pattern suggests a cycle of intense public relationships followed by legal drama.
Why did Tish leave Billy Ray?
Tish Cyrus’s perspective
- In an interview with HOLA!, Tish said she was “just trying to survive” after the divorce (HOLA! (celebrity magazine)).
- The divorce was finalized in 2022 after 28 years of marriage (E! News (entertainment news)).
Billy Ray’s perspective
- Billy Ray publicly stated he was “giving love another chance” in a social media post (E! News (entertainment news)).
Why this matters: the split split the family—Miley sided with Tish, creating tension that took years to heal.
What illness does Billy Ray Cyrus have?
Near-fatal health scare
- In a 2026 interview, Billy Ray said he suffered sepsis in 2024 and nearly died (Taste of Country (country music news)).
- The episode led to vocal paralysis, a career-threatening condition (Billboard (music industry publication)).
Current health status
- He has continued performing and reportedly regained some vocal function, but exact recovery is not publicly documented.
If vocal paralysis persists, it could end his touring career—a major income source for artists of his generation. Fans should monitor upcoming concert dates for signs.
The outcome of his health battle will determine the future of his touring career.
What is Billy Ray Cyrus‘s career legacy?
Early success with ‘Achy Breaky Heart’
Seven facts about his peak: the debut single peaked at #1 on Hot Country Songs, he sold over 20 million records worldwide, and the song became a cultural phenomenon in 1992.
- His debut single ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ peaked at #1 on Hot Country Songs (Billboard (music chart authority)).
- He has sold over 20 million records worldwide (Biography (biographical resource)).
Acting and later music
- He played the father role in “Hannah Montana” alongside Miley, cementing their pop-culture bond.
- His net worth is estimated at around $20 million (Billboard (music industry publication)).
The pattern: his legacy is split—a one-hit-wonder tag from critics versus enduring cultural resonance with audiences who grew up with “Hannah Montana”.
Timeline
- 2024: May 22 separation from Firerose; June divorce filing; sepsis battle leads to vocal paralysis (The Independent (news outlet))
- 2023–2024: Public reconciliation with Miley; relationship with Elizabeth Hurley (ABC News (broadcast network))
These milestones trace the arc of a life marked by early fame, family strife, and recent recovery.
Clarity: confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Divorce from Tish Cyrus in 2022 (E! News (entertainment news))
- Near-fatal health scare in 2024 due to sepsis (Taste of Country (country music news))
- Estrangement from Miley Cyrus later reconciled (Biography (biographical resource))
- Relationship with Elizabeth Hurley (both have spoken publicly) (Billboard (music industry publication))
- Filed for divorce from Firerose in June 2024 (The Independent (news outlet))
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of current relationship with Elizabeth Hurley (dating vs. serious) (ABC News (broadcast network))
- Whether he has fully recovered from the 2024 sepsis health scare (Billboard (music industry publication))
- Financial details (net worth estimates vary) (Biography (biographical resource))
- Speculation about ongoing rift with Miley despite public statements (BuzzFeed (digital media))
The balance of confirmed and unclear elements highlights the private nature of many aspects of his life.
Quotes: In their own words
“I was just trying to survive.”
— Tish Cyrus, in an interview with HOLA! (celebrity magazine)
“I’m giving love another chance.”
— Billy Ray Cyrus, via social media post reported by E! News (entertainment news)
“It’s a real love story.”
— Elizabeth Hurley, speaking about her relationship with Billy Ray Cyrus, as reported by ABC News (broadcast network)
“I nearly died from sepsis. It was terrifying.”
— Billy Ray Cyrus, in a 2026 interview with Taste of Country (country music news)
These quotes paint a picture of a man cycling through personal crises—divorce, estrangement, health scare—while publicly reaching for stability. For fans, the takeaway is a human story of vulnerability, not just tabloid fodder.
These personal statements reveal the emotional stakes behind the public headlines.
Summary: where things stand
Billy Ray Cyrus is navigating a messy 2024—a contentious divorce, a health scare that threatened his voice, and a family dynamic still healing. His career has survived worse, but the convergence of these events tests his resilience. For Billy Ray Cyrus, the implication is clear: either use this moment to rebuild both his music career and his family relationships, or risk becoming a cautionary tale about fame’s toll on personal life.
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For a more comprehensive overview of his life and career, readers can refer to a detailed biography and net worth for 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Billy Ray Cyrus?
He was born on August 25, 1961, making him 63 years old as of 2024.
How many times has Billy Ray Cyrus been married?
He has been married twice: to Tish Cyrus (1993–2022) and briefly to Firerose (2023). The second marriage ended in a contentious divorce filed in June 2024.
What is Billy Ray Cyrus’s most famous song?
“Achy Breaky Heart” (1992) remains his signature hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Does Billy Ray Cyrus have a new album?
He has been working on new music, with Billboard reporting in 2024 that he is eyeing a career revival after his health scare.
Who is Firerose?
Firerose is the stage name of his second wife, whom he married in 2023. They filed for divorce in June 2024 after less than a year of marriage.
Is Billy Ray Cyrus still performing?
Yes, despite vocal paralysis from a 2024 sepsis infection, he has continued to perform and is reportedly planning a new album.
What is Billy Ray Cyrus’s relationship with Miley Cyrus now?
As of 2024, public statements from both indicate they are no longer estranged. Miley has said “No” when asked if they are estranged, and Billy Ray has spoken warmly about her.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Canada Scope, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.