How ‘Hannah Montana’ Introduced a New Generation to Dolly Parton

Most knew her as Dolly Parton . Many millennials and Gen Z, though, were introduced to her as Miley Stewart’s Aunt Dolly.

The queen of country had made a name for herself far before she ever cameoed on a young Miley Cyrus ‘ budding new Disney Channel series Hannah Montana . By 2006, she’d already won seven Grammy Awards, picked up her two Academy Award nominations and earned two Billboard Hot 100 hits.

But for a younger generation (Gen Z and some Millennials, that is), the sitcom was the first time they were greeted to the likes of the one and only Dolly Parton, Cyrus’ real-life godmother. Cyrus herself posted a tribute to her godmother on Wednesday, writing that “I will always love her and want to make her proud.” Related Stories Music Miley Cyrus Remembers Dolly Parton: "I Will Always Love Her" Music Dolly Parton Was a Staunch LGBT Ally, Even When the Chips Were Down

Parton died Tuesday at 80, following a “brief battle with cancer ,” her reps told People . Amid her death, a wave of tributes were penned by celebrities, including Cyrus’ father and Hannah Montana co-star Billy Ray Cyrus.