The world lost a legend in Dolly Parton on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026.

The news that the actress, singer, songwriter, and philanthropist passed away at 80 years old was broken on her Instagram, with a video from her nephew, Bryan Seaver.

While Parton’s legacy transcends the stage and screen, those growing up in the early aughts may remember her from her appearances on Hannah Montana as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana’s (Miley Cyrus) Aunt Dolly. Outside of the Disney Channel series, Parton was also a godmother to Cyrus, and Cyrus even credited the “Jolene” singer for the recent Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special actually coming to fruition.

“I learned this terrible habit — but I actually think it was good advice — from Dolly,” she revealed to Variety. “She told me that if you want something to happen, promote it before it exists. Then no one can say no. So I just started promoting a Hannah Montana 20th-anniversary special that literally did not exist.”

The special ultimately got greenlit, and began streaming on Disney+ on March 24. In the special, Cyrus read aloud a sweet fax she received from Parton in 2021, after Cyrus sent her flowers in honor of the 15th anniversary of Hannah Montana. Per iHeart Country, Parton took to her Instagram story in honor of the special in March, writing, “Reminiscing on my time as Aunt Dolly. When Hannah Montana came on the air and [Miley Cyrus], my little goddaughter, was the star of it, I was so proud of her. I thought she was sensational.”

In honor of the late Dolly Parton, you can reminisce on her Hannah Montana appearances, which are listed below and are available to stream on Disney+.

1. Season 1, Episode 16: “Good Golly, Miss Dolly”

   This episode introducing fans to Aunt Dolly sees Miley crushing hard on her fellow superstar classmate Jake Ryan (Cody Linley). When Dolly accidentally records Miley revealing her feelings for Jake—and that video tape gets swapped with Oliver’s (Mitchel Musso) farewell video for Principal Fisher—the two team up with Lily (Emily Osment) to sneak back into school and grab the tape.

2. Season 2, Episode 20: “I Will Always Loathe You”

   It’s a clash of the relatives! This Season 2 installment features appearances from Miley’s Aunt Dolly and Mamaw (Vicki Lawrence) to support Miley, though their constant feuding gets in the way of their visit.

3. Season 4, Episode 11: “Kiss It Goodbye”

   In this Hannah Montana Season 4 episode, Miley is on the heels of revealing to the world that she is both Miley Stewart and Hannah Montana. As she navigates life without the same privacy she had while living her secret double life, Dolly swoops in (literally, via a helicopter with a bright pink ladder) to save Miley from paparazzi, and help her ease into living life in the public eye.