Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus
Music

Billy Ray Cyrus Surprises Ex With Birthday Greeting

While he and Elizabeth Hurley are going strong, Billy Ray Cyrus is singing the praises of the other important women in his life.

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While Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley are still going strong, the "Achy Breaky Heart" singer is singing the praises of the other important women in his life. 

Videos by Wide Open Country

Cyrus took to social media to wish his late mother, Ruth Ann "Ruthie" Casto, and his ex-wife, Tish Cyrus, a happy birthday. 

What Did Billy Ray Cyrus Say to His Ex?

In the clip, posted on May 13, Billy Ray performs his song "Ready, Set, Don't Go" on an acoustic guitar. Billy Ray has performed it solo and as a duet with his daughter, Miley, on the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana. 

Cyrus dedicated the song to "Hannah Montana Nation and all our friends at Disney" in the caption.

He then reflected on his mother, Ruth Ann Casto, who passed away in 2022 at age 85. 

"My mom, Ruthie, [it] happens to be her birthday tomorrow," said Billy Ray in the video. "Somehow this song felt very appropriate for today."

He added in the caption, "Two of the greatest mothers EVER were born on this day and tomorrow, my mother Ruthie on May 14th ... and the mother driving Miley down that driveway as I wrote the song 'Ready Set Don't Go.' Happy Birthday Tish. Wishing you peace, love, and happiness ... forever."

Tish Cyrus Filed for Divorce in 2022

After two failed attempts in 2010 and 2013, Tish filed for divorce from Billy Ray in 2022 after more than 28 years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences." She described the experience as "freaking rough ... it was the roughest thing I've ever gone through."

The couple married in December 1993 and share five children: Brandi, Trace, Miley, Braison, and Noah. Billy Ray also shares a son, Christopher, with his ex, Kristin Luckey.

Tish went on to wed Prison Break actor Dominic Purcell in August 2023 in Miley's backyard in Malibu, California. 

Following their divorce, Billy Ray married singer Firerose in 2023, but divorced a year later. Meanwhile, Hurley, with whom he had worked with in the 2022 film Christmas in Paradise, reached out to him to help.

The two went public with their relationship during Easter weekend in 2025. 

"I think people found Billy and I being together a little surprising," she said last year "It's not surprising to me because we're actually quite similar and get on extremely well. There has been quite a reaction."