Billy Ray Cyrus Parents: Meet Mother Ruth Ann Casto & Father Ron Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus is one of the most recognizable names in country music, with a career spanning over three decades. He has sold over 20 million albums worldwide, earned multiple awards and nominations, and starred in several movies and TV shows. He is also the father of pop star Miley Cyrus, who followed in his footsteps as a singer and actress. But who are the people who influenced his life and career? Who are his parents, Ruth Ann Casto and Ron Cyrus?
In this article, we will explore the lives of Billy’s parents, their occupations, their marriages, their relationship with their son, and their legacy. We will also provide a table of facts about them for easy reference. Join us as we meet the mother and father of Billy Ray Cyrus, and learn more about their remarkable stories
Quick Info About Billy Ray Cyrus Family
Name | Billy Ray Cyrus |
---|---|
Birth Date | August 25, 1961 |
Birth Place | Flatwoods, Kentucky, U.S. |
Occupation | Singer, songwriter, actor |
Years Active | 1989–present |
Spouses | Cindy Smith (1986–1991), Tish Finley (1993–2023), Firerose (2023–present) |
Children | 6, including Brandi, Trace, Miley and Noah Cyrus |
Parents | Ron Cyrus (father), Ruth Ann Casto (mother) |
Ethnicity | English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, French, Dutch, German |
Nationality | American |
Religion | Christian |
Awards | 41 wins and 72 nominations, including 2 Grammy Awards, 4 American Music Awards, and 7 Billboard Music Awards |
Ruth Ann Casto: A Loving Mother and Grandmother

Ruth Ann Casto was born on May 14, 1937, in Kentucky, to William Clayton Casto and Mary Guila Boggs. She had two sisters, Carolyn and William. She married Ron Cyrus on August 1, 1952, and they had a son, Billy Ray, in 1961. They divorced in 1966, and her husband remarried Joan Marie Douthat in 1970.
Ruth was not a celebrity like her son, but she was a loving and supportive mother and grandmother. She often attended Billy’s concerts and events, and was close to his children, especially Miley Cyrus, who called her “Mammie”. She also had a fondness for Snoopy, the comic cartoon character, and collected various items featuring him.
She passed away on August 12, 2022, at the age of 85. Billy paid tribute to her on his Instagram account, posting a picture of her holding a Snoopy t-shirt with a heart. He wrote: “My mom went to heaven today. She belongs there. She earned it. She was the very definition of love.” Many fans and celebrities expressed their condolences and shared their memories of Ruth in the comments.
Name | Birth Date | Death Date | Occupation | Spouse | Children |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ruth Ann Casto | May 14, 1937 | August 12, 2022 | Homemaker | Ron Cyrus (1952-1966) | Billy Ray Cyrus |
Ron Cyrus | July 10, 1935 | February 28, 2006 | Politician, Musician | Ruth Ann Casto (1952-1966), Joan Marie Douthat (1970-2006) | Billy Ray Cyrus, Kevin Cyrus, Cherie Cyrus, Angie Marie Cyrus |
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Ron Cyrus: A Politician, a Musician, and a Father

Ronald Ray Cyrus was born on July 10, 1935, in Kentucky, to Eldon Lindsey Cyrus and Verlina Adeline Hay. He had a brother, Eugene, and a sister, Joann. He married Ruth Ann Casto in 1952, and they had a son, Billy Ray, in 1961. They divorced in 1966, and he remarried Joan Marie Douthat in 1970. He had three more children with Joan: Kevin, Cherie, and Angie.
Ron was a politician and a member of the Democratic Party. He served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives for 11 terms, from 1975 to 1996. He represented the 98th Legislative District, which included Greenup and Boyd counties. He was also the executive secretary and treasurer of the Kentucky AFL-CIO, a labor union federation. He advocated for workers’ rights, education, health care, and environmental issues.
He was also a musician and a singer. He played the guitar and was a member of the Crownsmen Quartet, a gospel group. He also performed with his son, Billy, on several occasions, and was the founding chairman of the Billy Ray Cyrus Charities Foundation, a non-profit organization that supported various causes. He was a fan of Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses, and owned several of them. He was also a member of the Big Woods Community Church in Wellington, Kentucky.
Ron passed away from lung cancer on February 28, 2006, at the age of 70. Billy honored him by dedicating his album Wanna Be Your Joe to him, and by writing a song called “The Man” about him. He also named his youngest daughter, Noah Lindsey Cyrus, after him.
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Billy Ray Cyrus’ parents, Ruth Ann Casto and Ron Cyrus, were both influential and important figures in his life. They supported his musical career, and shared his love for family and faith. They also had their own achievements and passions, and left a lasting legacy in their communities. They are dearly missed by their son, their grandchildren, and their fans.