Billy Ray Cyrus has largely remained private about his personal life in recent years. However, in a new interview, the 64-year-old country music icon opened up about a severe health crisis he faced, detailing how his daughter Noah Cyrus played a crucial role in his recovery.
Billy Ray Cyrus Opens Up About Health Crisis
In a conversation with PEOPLE, Cyrus revealed that he once suffered from a serious case of sepsis. He described how the disease caused widespread inflammation throughout his body. "I don't know exactly how it evolved. It was my worst nightmare. Two years before that, my mom had died in that hospital, on the very floor that I was on," he said.
Cyrus added, "I got really sick and almost died, and as I was trying to stay alive, at times they sent me home from the hospital." He shared that he even developed vocal paralysis at one point. "But my body was blowing up with a toxicity of some type. If it had erupted, I would have died. In the last moment, I had a prayer answered," he recalled.
He later experienced a miracle in his treatment when doctors informed him he was improving. "Lo and behold, they were going to do one last surgery. I got to the hospital and they said, 'Mr. Cyrus, it's gone. It's healed.' I had a miracle," he said.
Billy Ray Cyrus Says His Daughter Noah Cyrus Saved His Life
During the interview, Cyrus credited his 26-year-old daughter, Noah Cyrus, for helping him recover. "Noah's got that one song, that honestly saved my life, it's called 'Don't Put It All On Me,'" he shared.
He also mentioned his grandson Bear, son of Braison Cyrus, as a significant inspiration. "In this very broken moment of my life, my little grandson Bear looked at me and said, 'Try again,'" Cyrus recalled. "And up until that moment, he had never spoken to me at all. I wasn't even sure if he 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," he added.
What Is Sepsis?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, sepsis is a "life-threatening reaction to an infection that causes your immune system to harm healthy tissues and organs. It can develop quickly and lead to organ failure or death without urgent care. Recognizing the symptoms and getting medical help right away could save your life."
On the professional front, Billy Ray Cyrus is set to release his next studio album, 'The Hills,' on June 16.
