Billy Ray Cyrus is opening up about the health battle that nearly claimed his life.
The 64-year-old country star revealed he was hospitalized in 2024 with sepsis, a condition that left him close to death. "I got really sick and almost died," he told PEOPLE in a cover story published June 10.
"And as I was trying to stay alive, at times they sent me home from the hospital, and I'd be there with [my dog] Tommy Jack. But my body was blowing up. And there was a toxicity of some type of whatever. And it would have erupted, I would have died."
He explained that his body was shutting down and doctors prepared for another surgery, only for the infection to suddenly clear. ""Lo and behold, they were going to do one last surgery. I got to the hospital, they said, 'Mr. Cyrus, It's gone.' It healed. I had a miracle," he said, crediting prayer and faith for his recovery.
Cyrus described how the experience gave him back a sense of hope and joy. "Love, hope, music, joy, things that I'd forgotten, really, exactly maybe what they felt like, and I go, 'Oh. Even to dream again,'" he shared.
The ordeal left him with another challenge: temporary vocal paralysis. He recalled being unable to sing or even speak, but leaned on faith and music to pull through. He found strength in his daughter Noah's 2025 song Don't Put It All On Me, written by his son Braison. "I do credit that particular song with saving me. It's part of it, for sure," he said.
His grandson Bear also played a pivotal role. At five years old, Bear spoke to him for the first time, telling him to "try again." Cyrus said those words pushed him to keep going, both in love and in music. "Somehow, I got to try again at both. So I'm learning to try again," he explained.
The singer has been rebuilding his personal life as well. After a contentious split from Firerose in 2024, he found new love with Elizabeth Hurley in 2025. He has also begun reconciling with his children, including Miley, Noah, Braison, Trace, Brandi, and Christopher Cody.
Looking ahead, Cyrus is preparing to release The Hill, his first album in 14 years, on June 16. The record features contributions from his children, including a duet with Noah.
