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Billy Ray Cyrus' Children: Inside the Country Star's Big, Musical Family

Billy Ray Cyrus was one of the biggest country stars of the '90s thanks to a slew of hit songs, such as "Achy Breaky Heart" and "Could've Been Me." Over the years, most of his children have followed in his footsteps and pursued their own successful music careers. 

Billy Ray's love life was a bit complicated when he first got involved with his longtime love Tish Cyrus. In 1991, he was also involved with a waitress named Kristin Luckey and both relationships resulted in children. While Luckey moved with her child to South Carolina, Billy Ray and Tish stayed together and have been married since 1993. Though things have been rocky over the years with each of them filing for divorce, the couple has always managed to pull through together and set a strong example for their children on what it means to be there for someone for better or for worse. 

Here's a deep dive into Billy Ray Cyrus's six children. 

1. Christopher Cody

Billy Ray's oldest was born in April 1992 but lived in South Carolina with his mother Kristin Luckey.  He told The Mirror in an interview that he has a very minimal relationship with his father and was primarily raised by his mother and stepfather. 

2. Miley Cyrus 

Destiny Hope was the firstborn child between Tish and Bill Ray. She was a happy child whose nickname was "Smiley" which just eventually became "Miley."

Miley is best known for starring in the Disney Channel TV show Hannah Montana with her father. The family moved from their 500-acre farm in Tennessee to Los Angeles. She's gone on to become an incredibly successful pop artist and actress —even if her personal life, such as her public split from Liam Hemsworth, is publicized all over the tabloids. 

3. Braison Cyrus

Braison is a folk singer who is currently living in Nashville with his new wife, Stella McBride. According to his Instagram is he also a "part-time cranberry farmer." He released his debut song, "I'll Never Leave You," in 2018.

Read More: How Willie Nelson's Talented Children are Carrying on Their Dad's Country Music Legacy

4. Noah Cyrus

The youngest Cyrus, Noah, has also recently pursued a musical career. As a child, she appeared on her father's TV show Doc as well as Hannah Montana. Her debut album Good Cry was released in 2018 and she's even directed a couple of her own music videos. Her debut single in 2015, "Make Me (Cry)" kicked off her music career in the best way possible. The song peaked at 22 on the US Mainstream Top 40 Billboard chart.

5. Trace Cyrus

Oldest brother Trace Cyrus was actually born Neil Timothy Helson. Though his biological father was Tish's first husband, Baxter Neal Helson, Billy Ray adopted him as a young child and his name was officially changed to Trace Dempsey Cyrus. Trace was in an on-again-off-again relationship with actress Brenda Song until 2017 and also recently ended a relationship with former fiancée Taylor Lauren Sanders though it looks like the two have reconciled.

He also pursued a music career like his younger sister Miley. Trace is a guitarist and vocalist in the band Metro Station as well as Ashland HIGH. You might remember his hit Metro Station song "Shake It" from 2007 which was a top 10 hit on the US Hot 100. 

6. Brandi Cyrus

Brandi's birth father was also Baxter Neal Helson. Billy Ray adopted her and her brother Trace. Brandi has gone on to co-host the Your Favorite Things podcast with former Bachelor contestant Wells Adams as well as the reality show with her mom, Cyrus vs. Cyrus: Design and Conquer. Unlike her other siblings, Brandi has chosen to base herself in Denver, Colorado. 

This article was originally published in July 2020.

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