Billy Ray Cyrus – Biography, Net Worth, Family and Mullet

Billy Ray Cyrus is an American country singer and actor who shot to fame in 1992 with his debut single “Achy Breaky Heart.” The song sparked a global line-dancing craze, became the first single to achieve triple-platinum status in Australia, and launched Cyrus into the spotlight. Over the decades, he has reinvented himself as a television actor, a father of six (including pop superstar Miley Cyrus), and a pop culture figure whose mullet remains instantly recognizable.

Born William Ray Cyrus on August 25, 1961, in Bellefonte, Kentucky, Cyrus grew up in Flatwoods, Kentucky, in a musical family. He developed a love for country music as a teenager, learning guitar and immersing himself in classic sounds. After struggling to secure a recording contract in Los Angeles — at one point living in a neighbor’s car — he was signed to PolyGram/Mercury in 1990. His debut album Some Gave All arrived in 1992 and became a multi-platinum success.

Who Is Billy Ray Cyrus?

Key Insights

• Cyrus’s impact on 1990s country music was reinforced by his mullet and dance moves, making him a visual and musical icon of the era.
• His transition from country star to pop culture figure was largely driven by his role as Robby Ray Stewart on Disney’s Hannah Montana, which also launched his daughter Miley’s career.
• Recent personal life developments — including his divorce from Tish Cyrus and engagement to Firerose — have kept him in the headlines.
• Financially, his peak earnings came in the 1990s, but ongoing royalties from “Achy Breaky Heart” and his songwriting credit on “Old Town Road” still generate income.

Billy Ray Cyrus: Fast Facts

Who Is Billy Ray Cyrus Married To?

Cyrus has been married three times. His first marriage was to Cindy Smith from 1986 to 1991. He then married Tish Cyrus on December 28, 1993; the couple divorced on April 6, 2022. In October 2023, Cyrus married musician Firerose, but the marriage ended in divorce on August 2, 2024. Rumors of a relationship with actress Elizabeth Hurley have circulated but remain unconfirmed.

Marriage to Tish Cyrus

Tish and Billy Ray Cyrus were married for nearly 29 years. They share three children together: Miley, Braison, and Noah. The divorce was finalized in 2022, with reports citing irreconcilable differences. Specific reasons were not publicly detailed.

Engagement and Marriage to Firerose

Cyrus became engaged to Firerose, a fellow musician, in early 2023. They married on October 10, 2023, but the union lasted less than a year. The divorce was finalized on August 2, 2024.

How Many Children Does Billy Ray Cyrus Have?

Cyrus has six children. His eldest son, Christopher Cody Cyrus, was born in 1992 to his ex-girlfriend Kristin Luckey. With Tish Cyrus, he has three children: Braison (born 1994), Miley (born 1992, but adopted by Cyrus), and Noah (born 2000). He also has two older children from earlier relationships: Brandi and Trace Cyrus, though they were raised by Tish and are not biologically his.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus is his most famous child. She starred alongside him on Hannah Montana and has since become a global pop superstar. The father-daughter duo has occasionally performed together, though their relationship has experienced public ups and downs.

Other Children

Braison Cyrus is a musician and model; Noah Cyrus is a singer and actress. Christopher Cody Cyrus lives a relatively private life away from the spotlight.

What Are the Most Popular Billy Ray Cyrus Songs?

Cyrus is best known for “Achy Breaky Heart,” which became a worldwide phenomenon in 1992. The song reached No. 1 on the country charts and No. 4 on the pop charts. Other notable hits include “Could’ve Been Me” (No. 2 country) and “She’s Not Cryin’ Anymore” (No. 6 country).

Other Notable Singles

• “Could’ve Been Me” (1992) – No. 2 country
• “She’s Not Cryin’ Anymore” (1993) – No. 6 country
• “In the Heart of a Woman” (1994) – No. 3 country
• “Somebody New” (1995) – No. 8 country
• “Old Town Road” (2019) – co-writer; 14× Diamond-certified RIAA

What Is Billy Ray Cyrus’s Net Worth?

Cyrus’s net worth is estimated between $20 million and $30 million. His peak earnings came in the 1990s from album sales and touring. Ongoing royalties from “Achy Breaky Heart” and his songwriting credit on Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” continue to contribute. He also earned residuals from his role on Hannah Montana and other television work.

Why Is the Mullet a Signature Look for Billy Ray Cyrus?

Cyrus’s mullet — short on the front and sides, long in the back — became synonymous with 1990s country rock and his public persona. He did not invent the hairstyle, but he popularized it during the “Achy Breaky Heart” era. Cyrus shaved off his mullet in 2011 but has occasionally grown it back for nostalgic looks. The mullet remains an enduring cultural meme.

Billy Ray Cyrus: Key Events in His Life and Career

1. 1961 – Born in Flatwoods, Kentucky.
2. 1992 – Released “Achy Breaky Heart”; album Some Gave All becomes multi-platinum.
3. 1993 – Married Tish Cyrus.
4. 2001 – Began acting in TV series Doc.
5. 2006–2011 – Starred in Hannah Montana with daughter Miley.
6. 2019 – Co-wrote “Old Town Road” with Lil Nas X; song set chart records.
7. 2022 – Divorce from Tish finalized.
8. 2023 – Married Firerose; divorced in 2024.
9. 2026 – Announced new album produced by son Braison Cyrus.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Billy Ray Cyrus?

What Is the Background and Meaning of Billy Ray Cyrus’s Career?

Billy Ray Cyrus rose to fame in the early 1990s as a country music sensation, but his career faced a steep decline after the mid-90s due to changing musical tastes and overexposure. His legacy was revitalized by his role in Hannah Montana and association with Miley Cyrus, leading to renewed interest in his older music and a new generation of fans. In recent years, his personal life — divorce, engagement, public feuds with his daughter — has kept him in tabloids, often overshadowing his musical output. The mullet hairstyle remains an enduring cultural meme, frequently referenced in pop culture.

Where Do the Facts About Billy Ray Cyrus Come From?

“Billy Ray Cyrus is an American country singer and actor best known for his 1992 smash hit ‘Achy Breaky Heart,’ which crossed over to pop charts, sparked a line-dancing craze, and became the first single to achieve triple-platinum status in Australia.”

– Britannica

“In 1990, he was signed to PolyGram/Mercury and opened for Reba McEntire, leading to the release of his debut album Some Gave All in 1992.”

– Wikipedia

“Cyrus is iconic for his mullet (short front, long back), a hairstyle that became synonymous with 1990s country rock and his public persona.”

– IMDb

In Summary: Who Is Billy Ray Cyrus?

Billy Ray Cyrus is a country singer and actor known for his 1992 hit “Achy Breaky Heart,” his role on Hannah Montana, and his iconic mullet. He has six children, including Miley Cyrus, and has been married three times. His net worth is estimated at $20–30 million. For more on similar artists, see the Kelly Clarkson – Biography, Career and 2025 updates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Billy Ray Cyrus