Billy Ray Cyrus "almost died" during a severe health crisis last year.

Crediting a song by his daughter Noah Cyrus and encouragement from his young grandson with helping him through his recovery, the country singer, 64, spoke about his battle with sepsis in a new interview with People ahead of the release of his forthcoming album The Hill on 16 June.

Billy Ray, best known for the hit Achy Breaky Heart and for starring alongside daughter Miley Cyrus in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, said he suffered a near-fatal illness in 2024 that left him unable to sing or speak.

The revelation comes during a period of renewed public interest in the Cyrus family, whose relationships have frequently made headlines in recent years, while Billy Ray has also attracted attention for his relationship with actress Elizabeth Hurley.

Billy Ray said: "I got really sick and almost died."

He added: "As I was trying to stay alive at times, they sent me home from the hospital, and I'd be there with Tommy Jack. But my body was blowing up (with) a toxicity of some type."

Recalling the seriousness of the condition, Billy Ray said: "If it had erupted, I would have died. In the last moment, I had a prayer answered."

The singer described repeatedly visiting what he called a "prayer rock" during the ordeal.

He said: "Please. I need a miracle. I need a miracle."

According to Billy Ray, doctors later delivered unexpected news before a planned operation.

He said: "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."

Billy Ray explained the illness led to vocal paralysis, temporarily robbing him of the ability to perform.

He said: "I started believing once I had the first miracle. I said, 'Cyrus, you can't talk or sing right now, but believe you can'."

During his recovery, Billy Ray said he found comfort in Noah's song Don't Put It All On Me, released in 2025 and written by his son Braison Cyrus.

He said: "I just loved it so much. And I do credit that particular song (for) saving me."

The singer added he became "addicted" to the track and listened to it repeatedly throughout the day as he recovered.

Billy Ray also credited Braison's son Bear with providing unexpected encouragement at a particularly difficult moment.

He said: "In this very broken moment of my life, my little grandson Bear looked at me and said, 'Try again'."

Billy Ray continued: "And up until that moment, he had never spoken to me at all. I wasn't even sure if he knew my name."

Reflecting on the encounter, he said: "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."

Billy Ray shares Noah, Braison and Grammy-winning singer Miley with his former wife Tish Cyrus.

The couple were married from 1993 until 2022.

Following their separation, Billy Ray married Australian singer Firerose in 2023, before the marriage ended in 2024.

Tish later married Prison Break actor Dominic Purcell in August 2023, while Billy Ray began dating Elizabeth last year.

The Hill, Billy Ray's latest album, is scheduled for release on 16 June.