Billy Ray Cyrus on Near-Fatal Sepsis and the 'Miracle' That Sparked His Comeback Album, The Hill
Country music icon Billy Ray Cyrus opens up about a harrowing near-fatal battle with sepsis and vocal paralysis in 2024, a personal struggle that profoundly shaped his upcoming album, The Hill. He credits a surprising source for his miraculous...
The journey to Billy Ray Cyrus's latest album, The Hill, has been one of profound personal challenge and remarkable resilience. Before reaching this new musical peak, the country superstar faced a life-threatening health crisis in 2024 that profoundly reshaped his perspective and artistic direction.
In a candid interview with People, Cyrus revealed he suffered a near-fatal bout with sepsis, which subsequently led to a diagnosis of temporary vocal paralysis. He described this period as a “very broken moment of my life,” a time when his ability to sing, and even speak clearly, was compromised.
Yet, from this darkness, a “miracle” emerged. Cyrus credits his five-year-old grandson, Bear—son of his daughter Brandi Cyrus—with providing the unexpected spark for his recovery. “My little grandson Bear looked at me and said, ‘Try again.’ And up until that moment, he had never spoken to me at all,” Cyrus shared.
The simple, yet profound, words from Bear resonated deeply. “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 got to try again at both. So I’m learning to try again.” This poignant interaction became a powerful catalyst for his physical and emotional healing.
This harrowing experience unfolded amidst other significant personal changes for Cyrus. The sepsis battle came two years after his divorce from Tish Cyrus after 28 years of marriage. He later married singer Firerose, though the couple split in 2024. Cyrus subsequently revealed his relationship with English actress Elizabeth Hurley in 2025, while Tish Cyrus remarried Dominic Purcell in 2023.
Despite the turbulence, Cyrus channeled his experiences into his art. The Hill, set for release on June 16, marks his first album of new material in over a decade. The record is a true family affair, with his son Braison Cyrus credited as a producer and songwriter on several tracks.
Fans have already had a taste of the album’s heartfelt depth with “On Our Way Along,” a moving duet featuring his daughter Noah Cyrus, released in April. The Hill promises to be a deeply personal and triumphant return for Billy Ray Cyrus, a testament to resilience, the power of family, and the enduring spirit of “trying again.”
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