Billy Ray Cyrus has revealed that he suffered temporary vocal paralysis after battling near-fatal sepsis two years ago. The 64-year-old singer, set to release his upcoming album The Hill next week, reflected on his health scare in a candid interview, calling it a "very broken moment" of his life. He credited a "miracle" for his recovery and said his five-year-old grandson, Bear, helped him navigate the challenging time.
The Grandson's Words That Changed Everything
Bear, the son of Braison Cyrus, had never spoken to Billy Ray before. During the singer's difficult period, the young boy looked at him and said, "Try again." Billy Ray told People magazine, "Up until that moment, he had never spoken to me at all. I wasn't sure he even 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."
A Series of Life Changes
The sepsis battle came two years after Billy Ray and his wife Tish filed for divorce after nearly three decades of marriage. He later married singer Firerose, but that relationship ended in 2024 due to irreconcilable differences. A year later, he met actress Elizabeth Hurley, and the pair have been inseparable, attending the National Television Awards together. Through his relationship with Elizabeth, Billy Ray left Tennessee for the first time in five years, calling it the "craziest thing" he has ever done.
A New Lease on Life
Despite spending almost four decades in the music industry, Billy Ray says he has no plans to slow down. "I finally found this wonderful place where I'm happy," he said. He acknowledged a period of inactivity following the pandemic and his divorce but realized he is a "working man" who needs to keep moving. Reflecting on change, he admitted it is "scary" but emphasized that once he commits to a project, there is no looking back. Now, he describes himself as the "most sober person in the world," having quit drinking after years of heavy consumption prior to 1992.
Family Harmony
Billy Ray has found harmony with his children and, while he acknowledges he may never win "parent of the year," he takes pride in them. His journey from a near-fatal illness to a renewed sense of purpose underscores the importance of resilience and the power of family support.
