Billy Ray Cyrus Reflects On Near-Fatal Health Scare: 'My Worst Nightmare'

Billy Ray Cyrus opened up about a near-fatal health scare.

Cyrus, 64, revealed in a new interview with PEOPLE that in 2024, he’d undergone a battle with sepsis and was diagnosed with vocal paralysis. He told the outlet, “I don't know exactly how it evolved. It was my worst nightmare. Two years before that, my mom [Ruth Ann] had died in that hospital, in the very floor that I was on.” Cyrus said he was told to get his “affairs in order,” amid his hospitalization. He deemed his full recovery “a miracle,” and credits daughter Noah Cyrus’ powerful lyrics in “Don't Put It All on Me” with “sav[ing] my life.” He also opened up about a sweet moment with his 5-year-old grandson, Bear, son of Braison Cyrus, who encouraged him to “try again.”

The “Achy Breaky Heart” artist also spoke with PEOPLE about his relationship with actress Elizabeth Hurley, 61, who supported him through his vocal issues. Cyrus shared, “I do feel at this moment a calm and a peace of mind of knowing that I'm on the right path—and certainly love feels good. I can't give enough credit to what Elizabeth has brought to my life.” Hurley, who met Cyrus while filming Christmas in Paradise together in 2022, said “family really matters.” Cyrus shares daughter Miley Cyrus, 33, son Braison, 32, and daughter Noah, 26, with ex-wife Tish Cyrus, 59. He also adopted Tish’s two children when they said “I do” in 1993, Brandi Cyrus, 38, and Trace Cyrus, 37, and is a father to son Christopher Cody, 34, from a previous relationship.

Cyrus teamed up with producer and co-writer Braison on his upcoming album, Th Hill, marking his first studio album in 14 years. The project also includes a duet with Noah. It’s due to arrive on June 16.