Billy Ray Cyrus: Divorce, a 7-month marriage & new love
Billy Ray Cyrus, the country star best known as Miley's dad and chart-topper, has seen his private life take centre stage lately. From the collapse of a 30-year marriage to whirlwind romance, heartbreak, and a famous new partner, nothing about his journey has been straightforward.
Breakups, reconciliations, courtroom drama—if Billy Ray Cyrus’s love life were a country song, it would top the heartbreak charts. Ageing rockers rarely get to blend legacy with Hollywood gossip and family reunions, but lately, Billy Ray is living all these verses.
Recently, his much-publicised divorce from Tish Cyrus after nearly thirty years, a fleeting seven-month marriage to singer Firerose, and a new spark with actress Elizabeth Hurley have kept his story spinning. Add to that a highly-anticipated special with his superstar daughter Miley, and this family saga is far from over.
A Marriage that Was Meant to Last… Until It Didn’t
Back in 1991, after a serendipitous meeting, Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus became the heart of a blended family, tying the knot in Tennessee two years later. With six kids—Brandi, Trace, Miley, Braison, Noah, and Christopher—life was as much about home as it was about headlines.
For years, they put on a united front, but turbulence simmered underneath. Billy Ray first filed for divorce in 2010, only to backtrack months later. In 2013, it was Tish’s turn to request a split, yet, with counselling, they found common ground—at least for a while.
Divorce, Whirlwind Love, and Public Accusations
It wasn’t until April 2022 that Tish filed for divorce again. The couple had already been living apart for two years. After nearly three decades, the final split came in 2023, and both soon moved on.
Tish remarried actor Dominic Purcell, while Billy Ray found new love with singer Firerose. Their intimate wedding in October 2023 quickly grabbed headlines, but scandal followed fast. Seven months later, Billy Ray filed for divorce citing "inappropriate marital conduct."
Court filings revealed accusations of fraud from one side, and allegations of "narcissistic emotional abuse" as Firerose posted grievances online—accusations Billy Ray swiftly refuted. In her own words to People in 2014, Tish admitted:
"I thought I was going to be alone forever. And that was one of the times that I had the crippling breakdown of anxiety. I joke about it and say I had a complete psychological breakdown. There were 30 days where I was not eating or sleeping; I just felt like I was just coming out of my skin. And it was really scary."
A New Flame and Family Ties in the Spotlight
Love refuses to quit on Billy Ray. Late in 2022, a film set brought him together with British icon Elizabeth Hurley, igniting a romance that became official in April 2025. The two reportedly spent their first Christmas together that year.
For all the drama, old family fractures have also softened, especially with Miley. After a period of distance following her parents’ split—Miley was said to support her mother—the pair now join forces for a Disney+ special marking the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana. Airing 24 March 2026, it’s a rare moment for fans to see father and daughter reunited.
Recalling the start of his new romance, Billy Ray shared on The Masked Singer:
"Suddenly, I get a text from a number I don't recognize. It says, 'The vultures are circling, but I'm in your corner.' ... The thing is, I didn't know who sent it. It turned out to be from someone I least expected. This girl was just as beautiful as her words. We went out for a date, and our chemistry was real. We've been together ever since."
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Billy Ray Cyrus' turbulent love life - divorce from Miley's mum, 7 month marriage and famous girlfriend
