Billy Ray Cyrus has secured a significant legal victory after a woman claimed she was the biological mother of his daughter, global pop star Miley Cyrus.
The woman, identified as Jayme Lee, filed a lawsuit in May alleging that she gave birth to Miley at age 12 and entered into a “private adoption agreement” with Billy Ray and his then-partner, Tish Cyrus. She further claimed that part of the agreement allowed her to name the child—born Destiny Hope Cyrus—and work as her nanny and piano teacher.
Lee accused the family of cutting all ties after Miley’s birth in November 1992, allegedly threatening her with police action and causing “severe emotional distress.”
In her lawsuit, she accused Billy Ray and Tish of breach of contract, fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and interference with parental rights. She also requested a supervised DNA test to establish maternity and paternity.
Billy Ray responded on 20 November with a motion to dismiss, calling the allegations “false and absurd” and arguing that the lawsuit was filed with the “purpose of harassing” the Cyrus family.
According to legal documents obtained by the Daily Mail, a judge dismissed Lee’s lawsuit with prejudice on 5 December—meaning it cannot be refiled. The court also awarded Billy Ray recovery of his reasonable attorney’s fees and legal costs.
Billy Ray, 62, shares Miley, 33, along with Braison, 31, and Noah, 25, with Tish. He also adopted Brandi and Trace from Tish’s previous marriage. The former couple finalised their divorce in April 2022 after 28 years together.
Billy Ray is now in a relationship with British actress Elizabeth Hurley, while Tish is married to actor Dominic Purcell. The legal victory comes shortly after Miley confirmed her engagement to musician Maxx Morando, her partner of four years.
Celebrating the news, Billy Ray wrote on Instagram:
“So happy you and MaxxAgazillion found each other!!!! Congratulations! Happy to see you both so happy!!! Love, Dad.”
