How Billy Ray Cyrus and his six children make their money

Danielle McAdam

21 June 2024 at 0:30 pm·14-min read

The Cyrus clan

<p>GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images</p> — GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images

There's no doubt about it: Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus are global household names. Miley followed in her father's footsteps to worldwide fame and is arguably now the much better-known of the two.

However, you might be surprised to learn that Miley isn't Billy Ray's only superstar child. In fact, there are five other Cyrus children, each boasting their own claims to fame.

Read on to discover how Billy Ray Cyrus and his six children make their money today.

All dollar amounts in US dollars

Billy Ray Cyrus

<p>Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images</p> — Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images

Born in Kentucky on 25 August 1961, Billy Ray is the proud patriarch of the Cyrus family. With an estimated total fortune of $10 million (£7.9m), let’s delve into how the county music star makes and spends his money.

Billy Ray Cyrus: music icon

<p>Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty Images</p> — Paul Natkin/WireImage/Getty Images

Billy Ray Cyrus was reportedly living out of a car before landing a life-changing recording deal with Mercury Nashville Records. His debut studio album Some Gave All was released in 1992.

The album produced the international country hit Achy Breaky Heart, the first ever song to achieve triple platinum status in Australia. Although Cyrus has gone on to release 15 more albums, with his latest being 2019’s The SnakeDoctor Circus, Achy Breaky Heart remains his most memorable hit.

The song has been translated into more than 100 languages and is credited with spreading the line dancing craze.

Billy Ray Cyrus: modern-day success

<p>John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy</p> — John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The veteran star found a whole new generation of fans in 2019 when he featured on a remix of rapper Lil Nas X's song Old Town Road. The catchy country-rap track spent a record-breaking 19 consecutive weeks at number one on the US music charts.

This photo shows the duo performing their hit. Cyrus and Lil Nas X landed two Grammys for the tune: Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video.

The single was also nominated for the prestigious Record Of The Year award, though it lost out to Billie Eilish's electropop anthem Bad Guy.

Billy Ray Cyrus: actor

<p>Steve Granitz/WireImage</p> — Steve Granitz/WireImage

Outside of music, Billy Ray has further boosted his fortune by acting. He made his screen debut in an episode of comedy series The Nanny in 1995 before landing his first leading role in the medical drama Doc between 2001 and 2004.

He's also racked up numerous silver screen credits over the years, including a small role in the David Lynch movie Mulholland Drive, action-comedy flick The Spy Next Door, and the wacky horror-comedy Sharknado 2: The Second One. However, the country crooner is arguably best known for starring in the Disney Channel show Hannah Montana alongside his daughter Miley.

The hit show aired between 2006 and 2011, and Billy Ray also starred in the spin-off film, Hannah Montana: The Movie, in 2009.

Billy Ray Cyrus: producer

<p>Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy</p> — Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

As well as starring in Hannah Montana: The Movie, Cyrus was also a producer on the project – and the family-friendly flick isn't his only foray into the world of producing. He produced and hosted the TLC reality series Surprise Homecoming in 2011, and also executive produced, wrote, and starred in the short-lived sitcom Still the King, which aired for two seasons between 2016 and 2017.

Now let's take a look at the fortunes of Billy Ray's children...

Brandi Cyrus

<p>Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Maxim</p> — Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Maxim

Born 26 May 1987, Brandi Cyrus is the eldest daughter of Tish Cyrus and the adopted daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus. Her biological father is Tish’s first husband, drummer Baxter Neal Helson.

Brandi reportedly has a net worth of $2 million (£1.6m). So how does she make her money?

Brandi Cyrus: acting ambitions

<p>Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images</p> — Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Brandi (pictured here with little sister Miley Cyrus) has dabbled in acting over the years, making her screen debut on the Nickelodeon tween show Zoey 101. She's appeared in episodes of Hannah Montana alongside Billy Ray and Miley, and also made a cameo as a dancer in Hannah Montana: The Movie.

Brandi featured in the thriller flick Death Call and the TV series The Queue in 2015, though it seems she's put her acting endeavours on hold and hasn't appeared in anything since.

Brandi Cyrus: reality star

<p>Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images</p> — Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty Images

Brandi hasn't shied away from the screen completely. She starred in reality TV series Cyrus vs. Cyrus: Design and Conquer alongside mom Tish (pictured together) in 2017.

The show, which aired on Bravo, saw the mother-daughter duo working together on interior design projects across Nashville. Other Cyrus clan members, including Billy Ray and Miley, also guest-starred on the series.

Brandi Cyrus: podcaster

<p>Gregg DeGuire/WireImage</p> — Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Brandi's also collaborated with her mother on the podcast Sorry We’re Stoned. The second season of the podcast, which covers everything from current affairs to Cyrus family stories, was released in 2021.

Additionally, Brandi co-hosts the podcast Your Favorite Thing with The Bachelorette star Wells Adams.

Brandi Cyrus: DJ

<p>Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images</p> — Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images

Brandi may not be Billy Ray's biological daughter, but she still shares his musical talent. She was a member of the indie-pop duo Frank + Derol alongside keyboardist Codi Caraco.

The band’s self-titled debut EP was released in 2014 but it seems like they're on a hiatus as they haven’t released any new music since. Brandi keeps herself busy with other music projects and travels the world as a DJ playing music festivals.

She recently performed at Californian country festival Stagecoach and has an ongoing Las Vegas residency.

Trace Cyrus

<p>Mike Coppola/FilmMagic</p> — Mike Coppola/FilmMagic

Born on 24 February 1989, Trace is the eldest son of Tish Cyrus and the adopted child of Billy Ray Cyrus. Like his big sister Brandi, his biological father is Baxter Neal Helson.

Trace's net worth is also estimated to be a cool $2 million (£1.6m). So how does he make his money?

Trace Cyrus: rock star

<p>Chelsea Lauren/WireImage</p> — Chelsea Lauren/WireImage

High school dropout Trace is best known for forming the rock band Metro Station with his friend Mason Musso (pictured together). Though Metro Station began as a duo, other band members have come and gone over the years. The group released their eponymous debut album in 2007 and exploded in popularity thanks to catchy hit single Shake It.

Following creative differences between the pair, the band split in 2010, and when it later reformed in 2011 it was without Trace. However, he eventually rejoined in 2014 and the band released their second album Savior the following year.

Metro Station split once again in 2017, although this was short-lived: the band reunited two years later and released the song I Hate Society in 2020.

Trace Cyrus: solo success

<p>Jeff Hahne/Getty Images</p> — Jeff Hahne/Getty Images

After leaving Metro Station in 2010, Trace formed the electropop band Ashland HIGH, which went on to release the albums Geronimo and Drugstore Cowboy. He's now releasing solo music under his own name and his debut EP Killing the Pain was released in 2021.

His latest solo single Pray at Night dropped in 2022. Over the years, Trace has also collaborated with his famous family.

He featured on Miley's 2008 album Breakout and performed on stage with his younger sister Noah in 2022.

Trace Cyrus: business owner

<p>deadspiritsclothing/Instagram</p> — deadspiritsclothing/Instagram

Trace launched an apparel business called Dead Spirits in 2020. The brand's edgy, emo-inspired designs retailed exclusively online, and his famous sisters Noah (pictured) and Miley have been snapped wearing the rock 'n' roll merchandise on Instagram.

However, the business seems to have since closed its doors as the website is no longer running.

Trace Cyrus: famous family struggles

Trace recently got candid on Instagram Stories, revealing his thoughts on how having a "famous family" had impacted his music career. Trace shared with his followers, "I love my family so much, but I think I'd be much more successful if I wasn't part of a famous family".

Explaining the sentiment, he added, "People immediately want to judge me and discredit all my hard work because of who I'm related to. But that's so far from the truth. I got a record deal without anyone from my label even knowing who I was related to until after they signed me".

Christopher Cody Cyrus

<p>Laura Levine/Corbis via Getty Images</p> — Laura Levine/Corbis via Getty Images

Born on 8 April 1992, Christopher Cody Cyrus is the firstborn biological child of Billy Ray (pictured here in 1992). His mother is Kristin Luckey, a waitress from South Carolina who briefly dated Cyrus in the early 1990s.

Though Billy Ray paid child support to Christopher’s mother, he still grew up estranged from the Cyrus family. Christopher once said about his famous relatives: "I’m on good terms but I don’t have a relationship with them really".

While Tish and Billy's children enjoy a Hollywood lifestyle full of glitz and glamour, Christopher's life has been rather different. Today, he's a law school graduate and reportedly lives in Austin, Texas, where he works as a litigation associate.

Miley Cyrus

<p>Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic</p> — Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Born on 23 November 1992, Miley Cyrus is the daughter of Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus. Miley’s birth name was actually Destiny Hope Cyrus, though she legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus in 2008.

Miley is a shortened version of her childhood nickname "Smiley", which she earned thanks to her sunny disposition. Undoubtedly the most successful of Billy Ray's children, Miley has an estimated net worth of $160 million (£126m).

Miley Cyrus: Hannah Montana

<p>Rocky Widner/FilmMagic</p> — Rocky Widner/FilmMagic

Former child star Miley made her acting debut in the TV series Doc in 2001, which also starred Billy Ray. She then made her silver screen appearance in the Tim Burton movie Big Fish in 2003.

However, Miley’s real big break came when she scored the lead role in the Disney Channel show Hannah Montana at the tender age of 13. She acted in the much-loved teen series between 2006 and 2011, and also starred in Hannah Montana: The Movie in 2009.

Additionally, she released a number of hit songs as Hannah Montana, including The Best of Both Worlds, Who Said, and Ordinary Girl.

Miley Cyrus: actress

<p>Karwai Tang/Getty Images</p> — Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Since her Disney days, Miley has continued to dabble in acting, with her silver screen credits including romantic flick The Last Song in 2010 and the 2012 rom-com LOL. Meanwhile, her TV roles have included the popular sitcom Two and a Half Men and Netflix's dystopian anthology series Black Mirror.

In 2022, she appeared as herself in her godmother Dolly Parton’s made-for-TV movie Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas.

Miley Cyrus: music star

<p>Dave J Hogan/Getty Images</p> — Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

However, the multi-talented star is undoubtedly most famous for her music career. She released her debut album Meet Miley Cyrus in 2007 and has gone on to release six other studio albums since.

The versatile singer-songwriter has tackled numerous genres over the course of her career, such as pop, rock, country and even rap. Her biggest hits include pop ballad Wrecking Ball, rock song Midnight Sky, and the country-inspired Malibu.

Her latest album, Endless Summer Vacation, was released in 2023. The lead single, Flowers, became the most-streamed song of 2023 on Spotify after raking up an incredible 1.6 billion plays. The hit song earned Cyrus her first-ever Grammy win this year, with Flowers scoring the prestigious Record of the Year award. Additionally, she won the Best Pop Solo Performance Grammy.

Miley Cyrus: live performances

<p>Julio Cesar Aguilar/AFP via Getty Images</p> — Julio Cesar Aguilar/AFP via Getty Images

Like most musicians, Miley has boosted her fortune by touring. Her 2014 Bangerz tour (pictured) was by far her most successful, with Cyrus reportedly earning a stunning $62 million from the 78-show global event, the equivalent of $82 million (£64.7m) today.

In 2022, the starlet embarked on her Attention tour to promote her rock 'n' roll-inspired seventh studio album, Plastic Hearts. In addition to touring, she's also performed at some of the world's biggest music festivals, including Lollapalooza, Glastonbury and Coachella.

Miley Cyrus: The Voice

Cyrus's chart-topping success helped her to land a coaching gig on NBC's reality singing competition The Voice. Between 2016 and 2017, she featured as a coach on seasons 11 and 13 of the show, reportedly earning an incredible $13 million per series, or $16.7 million (£13.2m) in 2024 money.

Miley Cyrus: endorsement deals

Miley’s star power has landed her numerous juicy endorsement deals with the likes of Converse, Gucci, Marc Jacobs and Walmart. She also rakes it in on Instagram and is said to make as much as $2 million (£1.6m) per sponsored post.

At the time of writing, Miley has 216 million followers on the social media platform.

Cyrus family feud?

<p>Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)</p> — Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Despite working closely together early in her career, rumours suggest that Miley Cyrus is currently estranged from her father, Billy Ray. Miley reportedly sided with her mother, Tish, following her parents' divorce in 2022.

In a recent interview on David Letterman's Netflix show, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, Miley opened up about her complicated relationship with her family. Reflecting on how her dad supported her rise to fame, she said, "I'm grateful for being able to watch him ahead of me. He's almost given me this map. And there's a map of what to do and what not to do, and he's guided me on both".

Braison Cyrus

Born on 9 May 1994, Braison is the second youngest child of Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus. He's believed to have a net wealth in the region of $1.5 million (£1.2m).

Braison Cyrus: country musician

Following in his family's musical footsteps, Braison released his debut album Javelina in 2021. The record has been described as alternative country, with Braison citing Bob Dylan, Steve Earle and My Morning Jacket as his musical inspirations.

Braison Cyrus: family man

Braison's Instagram account states that he lives in Nashville, Tennessee, but little else is known about the private Cyrus. However, we do know that he married visual merchandiser Stella McBride Cyrus (pictured together) in an intimate, family-only ceremony near the Cyrus family home in Nashville in 2019.

The couple welcomed their first son Bear in 2021.

Noah Cyrus

<p>Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic</p> — Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Born on 8 January 2000, Noah is the youngest child of Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus. Despite her young age, Noah already boasts an estimated fortune of $3 million (£2.4m).

So how does the youngest Cyrus starlet make her money?

Noah Cyrus: actress

<p>Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images</p> — Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

The former child star started out in the acting industry, making her TV debut in Doc alongside her dad when she was just two years old. She’s also appeared with older sister Miley in the Hannah Montana TV series, as well as in Hannah Montana: The Movie.

Other credits include a voice role in the animated family flick Ponyo (2008) and an appearance in an episode of the anthology series American Horror Stories (2021).

Noah Cyrus: music moves

<p>Michael Tullberg/Getty Images</p> — Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Noah is currently making waves in the music industry. Her debut single Make Me (Cry), which features rapper Labrinth, was released in 2016.

After releasing several other hit songs, including July and Live or Die, she was nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy in 2021, though she ultimately lost out to Megan Thee Stallion. Noah's long-awaited debut album, The Hardest Part, finally dropped in 2022, and in October and November of that year she went on her first US tour to promote the country-pop record.

Noah Cyrus: a rising star

<p>Arnold Jerocki/GC Images</p> — Arnold Jerocki/GC Images

The Gen-Z star has posed for major magazines like Nylon, Paper, and Seventeen and also fronted a campaign for clothing brand Hollister alongside fellow musician Khalid back in 2018.

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