Tessa Everly
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Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus-Purcell maintained a long-lasting relationship for nearly three decades before they officially finalized their divorce in 2022. Throughout their journey together, the couple created one of the most iconic families in the entertainment sector, nurturing their children: Miley, Noah, Brandi, Trace, and Braison Cyrus. They skillfully navigated their respective careers in the realms of music, television, and film, becoming well-known figures in popular culture.
Over the years, the former couple went through several divorce filings before finally separating for good. Following their split, both Tish and Billy Ray have moved on publicly; Tish entered a new chapter of her life by marrying Dominic Purcell in 2023, while Billy Ray briefly tied the knot with singer Firerose before their own split garnered media attention.
Scroll down to explore the captivating timeline of Billy Ray and Tish’s relationship, tracing their journey from the very beginning to their eventual divorce.
Discover the Year 1991: The Beginning of a Love Story
In 1991, Tish first encountered the then-emerging country music star at a local club, shortly after he concluded his first marriage to Cindy Smith. At that point, Billy Ray was reportedly experiencing homelessness and facing challenges in his quest to establish himself in the competitive music industry.
Reflecting on 1992: The Birth of a Star
In November 1992, Tish and Billy Ray celebrated the arrival of their first daughter, Miley. During the same year, Billy Ray also welcomed his son Christopher Cody with another woman named Kristin, marking a significant moment in his life as he embraced fatherhood on multiple fronts.
What Happened in 1993? A Wedding to Remember
Omg I love this… Tish got married to Billy Ray at the age of 26, in December, in Franklin, TN, and Miley got married to Liam at the age of 26, in December, in Franklin, TN – both had weddings at their homes ❤️😭 pic.twitter.com/LfO5C74eel
— Miley Cyrus Fashion (@StylishCyrus) December 28, 2018
Just days after the Christmas celebrations, Tish and Billy exchanged vows in December 1993 at their home in Tennessee. Following their nuptials, the recording artist adopted Tish’s children, Brandi and Braison, further solidifying their family unit.
1994: Welcoming a New Addition to the Family
In May 1994, Tish and Billy joyfully welcomed their son Braison into the world, adding another layer of love and connection to their growing family.
2000: The Arrival of Noah
In January 2000, the couple celebrated the birth of their son Noah, marking a new milestone in their family journey as they embraced parenthood once again.
2006: A Family Affair on Disney Channel
Billy Ray and Miley were both cast in the popular series Hannah Montana. During Tish’s interview on “Call Her Daddy” in 2024, she revealed that she had encouraged her ex-husband to accept the role on the Disney Channel, allowing their entire family to remain close while he and Miley worked together on set.
2010: Facing Challenges Together
In 2010, Billy Ray made the difficult decision to file for divorce from Tish. At that time, the couple issued a statement indicating that they were facing some personal issues and requested privacy during this challenging period. The statement read, “As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for our family. We are trying to work through some personal matters. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.”
During that same year, rumors surfaced suggesting that Tish had an affair with Poison rocker Bret Michaels, although he firmly denied these allegations. Ultimately, Tish and Billy Ray reconciled, and by 2011, they had called off their divorce, signaling a renewed commitment to each other.
What Surprised Everyone in 2011? A Change of Heart
In 2011, Billy Ray stunned fans by declaring that Hannah Montana had “destroyed his family” during an interview with GQ. However, he later retracted this statement, expressing a desire to mend his relationship with Tish and announced on The View that he had “dropped the divorce.”
He expressed, “I want to put my family back together. Things are the best they’ve ever been. … I feel like I got my Miley back in a way. I feel like we are the daddy and daughter that we were before Hannah Montana happened.”
2013: Another Attempt at Divorce
In 2013, just two years later, Tish filed for divorce from Billy again. Both parties released individual statements to PEOPLE, indicating that their situation was a “personal matter” and that they were considering how to move forward. A month later, they decided to rescind their divorce, sharing their renewed commitment to each other in a statement to PEOPLE.
They noted, “We both woke up and realized we love each other and decided we want to stay together. We both went into couples therapy, something we haven’t done in 22 years of being together, and it’s brought us closer together and really opened up our communication in amazing ways. … Tish also mentioned that marriage can be really challenging, especially after 22 years in the entertainment industry. We’ve faced tough times, but we both recognized we didn’t want to be another statistic and were determined to make it work.”
2015: A Family Gathering at the MTV VMAs
In 2015, Tish and Billy attended the MTV Video Music Awards alongside their children to show their support for Miley, turning the event into a memorable family occasion filled with love and pride.
2018: Celebrating 25 Years of Marriage
In 2018, Tish celebrated her and Billy Ray’s 25th wedding anniversary, coinciding with Miley’s wedding to now-ex-husband Liam Hemsworth. It was a moment of reflection and joy for the entire family.
Tish shared on Instagram, “25 years ago today @billyraycyrus and I stood in our living room in Franklin [Tennessee] and said ‘I Do.’ I would definitely say everything has come full circle!”
2022: The End of an Era
In 2022, Tish and Billy Ray made the difficult decision to permanently separate, publicly announcing their decision in a joint statement, as reported by PEOPLE.
Their statement expressed, “After 30 years, five amazing children, and a lifetime of precious memories, we have decided to go our separate ways — not with sadness, but with love in our hearts. We have grown up together, raised a family we can be immensely proud of, and it is now time to create our own paths. We will always be family and look forward to a continued and loving shared experience as friends and parents.”
2026: A Heartfelt Birthday Wish
In May 2026, Billy Ray took a moment to publicly wish his ex-wife Tish a happy 59th birthday, demonstrating ongoing goodwill years after their divorce. He shared a heartfelt social media video of himself performing “Ready, Set, Don’t Go,” a touching father-daughter song inspired by Miley. In the accompanying message, Billy Ray wished Tish “peace, love, and happiness … forever.”
TRUE STORY. Dedicate this to Hannah Montana Nation and all our friends at Disney.
“Got stars ⭐️ in her eyes, the prize is hers to win.”
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… pic.twitter.com/XBkppaykHF— Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) May 13, 2026
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