The country musician reflected on the experience in a new interview with People, describing a period marked by repeated hospital visits, uncertainty, and a recovery he now views as deeply personal.
Billy Ray Cyrus Says Family Helped Him Through a Life Threatening Health Crisis
Reflecting on the health crisis, Cyrus said, “I got really sick and almost died.” He recalled periods when he was sent home from the hospital while still fighting for his recovery, spending time with his rescue dog Tommy Jack as doctors continued to monitor his condition. “My body was blowing up [with] a toxicity of some type,” he said, adding that the threat felt immediate. “If it had erupted, I would have died.”
As his condition worsened, Cyrus turned increasingly to prayer. He described making repeated visits to what he called his “prayer rock,” where he would ask for help. “Please. I need a miracle. I need a miracle,” he remembered praying.
According to Cyrus, doctors eventually prepared for what he believed would be one final surgery, but the outcome surprised everyone involved. “I got to the hospital [and] they said, ‘Mr. Cyrus, it’s gone. It’s healed,’” he said. “I had a miracle.”
Recovery brought another obstacle when the illness affected his voice. Cyrus revealed that he temporarily lost the ability to sing and speak because of vocal paralysis. Rather than giving up, he tried to convince himself that the setback would not be permanent. “I started believing once I had the first miracle,” he said. “I said, ‘Cyrus, you can’t talk or sing right now, but believe you can.’”
Music became one of the things that helped him push forward. Cyrus pointed to Noah Cyrus’ song “Don’t Put It All On Me,” written by his son Braison, as a source of comfort throughout the ordeal. “I just loved it so much,” he said of the track. “And I do credit that particular song [for] saving me.”
The singer also found encouragement from an unexpected place: his grandson Bear. Recalling one emotional moment during his recovery, Cyrus said, “In this very broken moment of my life, my little grandson Bear looked at me and said, ‘Try again.’” The comment stayed with him. “I thought, ‘He’s telling you something,’” Cyrus said. “Is it about love? Music? Somehow, I got to try again at both.” Looking ahead to the release of his new album, The Hill, he added, “So I’m learning to try again.”
