What a terrifying revelation from Billy Ray Cyrus!
The longtime country music crooner opens up about an incredibly difficult chapter in his life — and near death — and the details are truly shocking.
In a brand new interview with People this week, Cyrus revealed that he suffered a severe case of sepsis back in 2024 that landed him in the hospital and left him with a terrifyingly uncertain future.
Related: Billy Ray Cyrus Explains Why He Performs For Presidents Of Both Political Parties!
Even more heartbreaking, the experience took place in the same hospital where his mother, Ruth Annhad passed away two years prior, in 2022. Reflecting on the emotional weight of that moment, Cyrus shared this with People:
“I don’t know exactly how it unfolded. It was my worst nightmare. Two years before that, my mother had died in that hospital, on the very floor I was on.”
So scary…
According to the singer, the disease became so severe so suddenly that his whole body was swollen. At one point, doctors even reportedly advised him to get his affairs in order. Which, uh, WHAT?! That’s the kind of warning, none ever want to hear.
Fortunately, the story did not end there. Despite the bleak outlook, Cyrus says he thankfully made a full recovery, leaving even some of his doctors surprised by the outcome. And looking back on the ordeal now, he credits something bigger than himself for helping him survive:
“I had a prayer answered (by God). It’s a miracle.”
As if that challenge wasn’t enough, Cyrus later faced another major hurdle when he was diagnosed with vocal paralysis, also in 2024. For a performer whose career has revolved around singing, the diagnosis raised painful questions about whether he would ever be able to return to music.
During that difficult period, he found solace in a song performed by his daughter Noah and written by his son Braison. He explained:
“Noah has the one song,”Don’t put it all on me,’ which honestly saved my life.”
The lyrics especially resonated with him:
“Some days we may fall apart / But we’re never broken.”
Cyrus says the song became a source of strength as he struggled through one of the darkest periods of his life. He also found unexpected inspiration from his young grandson, Bear. He explained:
“In this very broken moment of my life, my little grandson Bear looked at me and said, ‘Try again.’ And up until that moment, he had never spoken to me at all. I wasn’t even sure if he knew my name. In that moment, I thought, ‘He’s telling you something.’ Is it about love? Music? Somehow I had to try again on both. So I learn to try again.”
The singer also had support from his girlfriendactress Elizabeth Hurleywho encouraged him not to give up his voice when he doubted himself. He revealed:
“Elizabeth would say to me, ‘Do you understand that your voice is coming back?’ She encouraged me to the point where she made me do it The Masked Singer (Season 14 aired in February). And she said, ‘You have to do it to challenge yourself.’ And I was like, ‘God, why is she so smart?'”
Now, with his first new album in 14 years on the horizon, Cyrus sounds grateful for where he is today.
After surviving a terrifying health crisis and overcoming huge personal and professional obstacles, he says he has finally reached a happier place:
“I sing – I’ve been singing every day. I feel so good about my voice. This might be one of the better moments.”
That’s quite a turnaround after all he’s been through!
We hope Billy Ray continues to enjoy good health, happiness and many more years of making music.
(Image via MEGA/WHEN)
