Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose finalize their divorce 3 months after filing
Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose are officially divorced.
A Williamson County judge in Tennessee finalized the dissolution of their seven-month-long marriage.
In a statement to the Associated Press, Cyrus’ lawyers, Rose Palermo and Jason Talley of Cheatham Palermo & Garrett, said the two reached a settlement Friday, adding that Cyrus is “relieved to put this nightmare behind him.”
“I’m just very relieved... and giving thanks today to breathe a sigh of relief,” Cyrus said in a statement. “It’s unfortunate… it played out this way.”
“It was a matter of the heart. Love is blind … that’s for sure. B.R.C.,″ his statement concluded.
In the contentious divorce, both Cyrus and Firerose, whose legal name is Johanna Rose Hodges, accused each other of abuse.
In the end, court documents obtained by AP show neither party will pay spousal support, and much of the division of assets is based on ownership before the two married.
A source close to Firerose tells TODAY.com that she chose to settle for $0 and "walk away without fighting for money in order to be done with the volatile relationship and anything having to do with Billy."
Read on for a timeline of Cyrus and Hodges’ split, beginning with the most recent events.
June 24, 2024: Billy Ray Cyrus alleges Firerose abused him
Cyrus alleged in a court filing that his estranged wife, Firerose, was verbally, emotionally and physically abusive to him, which he says was witnessed by his manager.
The country music star also denied Firerose's own allegations of abuse in a June 24 filing in Williamson County, Tennessee, obtained by NBC News.
"Defendant's allegations of abuse were only made to sensationalize her false complaints by using the word 'abuse,'" the document reads. "While the Plaintiff would acknowledge that he was certainly vocal, frustrated and angry with the defendant in May 2024, it is the Plaintiff who, in fact, has been abused. Not only verbally and emotionally by the Defendant, but also PHYSICALLY abused by Defendant."
Scott Adkins, Billy Ray Cyrus' manager, wrote in an attached affidavit that he witnessed abuse by Firerose.
Adkins said during a phone call with Cyrus about a possible performance with Nicki Minaj on March 24, 2024, Firerose began "getting defensive" because she "would not have a significant role" in the performance.
Adkins said Billy Ray then told him, "Scott, she is hitting me again" and said "I'm leaving" before Adkins heard a door slam and the call ended. Adkins said Cyrus called him later in the day to say he locked himself in a cabin next to the house.
"His story keeps evolving and this filing is simply another abusive tactic to distract away from the serious, true allegations brought against him, backed by an abundance of evidence," a representative for Firerose said in a statement to NBC News. "The only individuals supporting his false claims are those on his payroll, whose credibility is questionable."
Cyrus also responded to allegations in a countersuit filed by his estranged wife on June 14. Firerose alleged in court documents that she was “ambushed” with divorce papers on the morning of a planned double mastectomy because she said she was diagnosed as a carrier for the BRCA1 gene mutation that can cause breast cancer.
Cyrus alleged in the June 24 court filing that his wife said if he even thought about divorcing her, she would "tell everyone that you did it because of the double mastectomy and your career will be over."
He alleged in the filing that his wife's comment came when he questioned her about her maiden name after overhearing her use a last name she had not used before.
The country star also alleged in his filing that Firerose knew she was a carrier of the BRCA1 gene mutation for four years prior to their relationship and that the surgery was elective because she does not have cancer or any symptoms of cancer.
"The audacity to question a BRCA-positive women’s decision to undergo a preventative surgery further shows the kind of cruel manipulation Firerose was subjected to," her representative said in the statement.
June 21, 2024: Billy Ray Cyrus' legal team alleges Firerose used him to advance her "fledgling music career."
Billy Ray Cyrus’ legal team alleged that Firerose used him to “help her fledgling music career," according to court docs obtained by TODAY.com.
In a statement obtained by TODAY.com on June 20, Cyrus' legal team said they'd filed an amendment to the original divorce petition on June 17 as a result of Hodges' countersuit, detailing some of Cyrus' allegations of fraud against his estranged wife.
"We regret that Ms. Hodges has chosen to litigate this 7-month marriage in the press and has left Mr. Cyrus with no recourse but to set the record straight," Cyrus' legal team said in the statement.
June 17, 2024: Billy Ray Cyrus files amended complaint, says Firerose is a 'fraud'
Cyrus' legal team, Palermo and Talley, filed an amended petition for divorce on June 17, 2024, stating that Hodges had claimed to both Cyrus and on her Tennessee marriage license that their union was her first marriage.
In court records obtained by TODAY.com, Cyrus’ legal team said the singer began to question his wife’s identity and last name in May 2024. Cyrus moved out of their shared home, contacted his legal team and they found a 2014 divorce record in California that revealed Hodges is the name of Firerose’s ex-husband.
Cyrus’ June 17 amendment alleges that Hodges “knowingly, willfully and intentionally committed fraud” against the “Old Town Road” singer “with the sole intention of inducing Plaintiff into a marriage to obtain the name ‘Cyrus’ under the belief that it would help her fledgling music career.”
Hodges rep and legal team did not respond to requests for comment.
In a story that was first reported by People on June 19, Cyrus' legal team responded to Hodges' countersuit with a photo of a handwritten note and text message from Hodges that seemingly suggested they could work things out.
Cyrus’ legal team said in a statement to TODAY.com on June 20 that Cyrus had “discovered a handwritten note” from Hodges “professing her love and need to be with Mr. Cyrus.”
Palermo and Talley say the note was discovered inside Cyrus’ home when he returned two days after his estranged wife was ordered to vacate the premises.
“I miss you more than I can possibly explain in words Baby,” the alleged note provided by Cyrus’ lawyers reads. “Please let’s work this out and not become anything but closer out of this hellish experience.”
“I need you. I love you. I am so sorry,” it reads.
Cyrus’ lawyers also allege that Hodges sent a text to the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer around the same time.
“I am listening to you Baby. I love you,” the alleged message reads. “I don’t want us to be on different sides fighting a war that nobody wins. I am going to do what you’re telling me because you promise me we can talk as soon as I’ve left and I trust you.”
“I’m praying with my entire soul that we can find each other again today,” the message continues. “I feel completely lost & miss you more than I can explain. And you will know I’m listening to and showing you with my actions. We need to be kind and loving to each other no matter what happens.”
“You have been my best friend in the world every day for over 4 years. 24/7. I miss you terribly. My heart is shattered & I need my best friend right now more than ever.”
June 14, 2024: Firerose counter sues Billy Ray Cyrus, claiming abuse
In response to Cyrus' legal team seeking a temporary restraining order against her, Hodges countersued her estranged husband.
In her complaint filed June 14, Hodges alleges she was “ambushed” with divorce papers by Cyrus the morning of her long-planned double mastectomy. Though she did not have breast cancer, the singer said she was diagnosed as a carrier for the BRCA1 gene mutation.
Hodges alleged she was subjected to “extreme verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse” during her short marriage to Cyrus.
“In the weeks leading up to her surgery, Husband placed Wife into an emotional and psychological prison,” her team’s countersuit reads. “When Wife would attempt to voice certain concerns, Husband would often call her a ‘selfish f---ing bitch’ and continually alleged that she was using him.”
The singer alleges that Cyrus got their shared managers to drop her amid the divorce and that she’s lost out on $415,000 in canceled live shows as of June 14.
June 13, 2024: Billy Ray Cyrus seeks a temporary restraining order against Firerose
Amid their ongoing divorce proceedings, Cyrus requested a temporary restraining order against Hodges on June 13.
According to court documents obtained by TODAY.com, Cyrus alleged that Firerose spent $96,986 over 37 unauthorized charges on his American Express business account. That includes $70,665 in payments to her attorneys.
Cyrus also stated he was concerned his soon-to-be-ex would make more “fraudulent, unauthorized charges” on his accounts.
In her legal response to Cyrus' claims, Hodges denied that she had made any unauthorized charges on Cyrus' credit card and alleged she was maintaining the "status quo" of their marriage. Her team alleges that Hodges had access to the account in question throughout their marriage.
June 11, 2024: Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose unfollow each other on social media
People reported that as of of June 11, the soon-to-be exes had unfollowed each other on Instagram — though their feed posts with each were still visible.
May 23, 2024: Billy Ray Cyrus files for divorce from Firerose
Cyrus, 62, filed a petition to divorce musician Firerose on May 23 in Nashville, according to court documents obtained by the Associated Press. News of the couple's divorce was first reported by TMZ.
The “Achy Breaky Heart” singer cited irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct as his reasons for seeking a divorce. He also requested an annulment on the grounds of fraud.
May 21, 2024: Billy Ray Cyrus confirms Firerose was married before
According to court documents filed by Cyrus’ legal team on June 17, 2024, the two had already been having marital problems when he started to question Hodges' past in May 2024.
Cyrus alleges that he began to suspect his wife was hiding something when he learned her doctor was confused as to what her real last name was. He also overheard his then-partner on the phone with the IRS refer to herself with a last name he did not recognize.
After he had moved out of their marital home and contacted his lawyers about a divorce, Cyrus’ legal team found a record of a 2014 divorce for Hodges in California.
It was then, the June 17 court filing states, Cyrus became “aware, for the very first time, that the Defendant (Hodges) had been previously married, and that ‘Hodges’ was not her maiden name but, in fact, her ex-husband’s last name.”
Cyrus was “in such disbelief that he told his attorneys that he would not believe it until he was able to review the documents with his own eyes,” according to the June 17 filing. He was able to review the documents on May 21, 2024 and begin the process of also filing for an annulment.
April 2024: Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose seem happy on social media
A little more than a month before he filed for divorce, Cyrus posted a picture of himself and his wife on Instagram, captioning it, "So much to be grateful for."
Firerose shared images from the couple's wedding around the same time, writing, "6 months ago I married this man. Life isn’t always easy … but it sure helps when your husband’s also your best friend."
Oct. 10, 2023: Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose tie the knot
The former couple tied the knot on Oct. 10, 2023. They announced the news in a joint message on Instagram alongside photos of them at their wedding.
"10/10/23 will always be the beautiful, joyous day that our two souls united as one in holy matrimony. It was the most perfect, ethereal celebration of love we could have ever imagined.
"For both of us to hear the preacher say, 'Billy Ray and Firerose Cyrus … I now pronounce you husband and wife' that was the sacred moment our new forever began. Long Live Love!" they wrote.
November 2023: Billy Ray Cyrus tells People he met Firerose on the set of “Hannah Montana”
Cyrus told People in 2022 that he and the Australian musician met 12 years prior on the set of the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana.”
The country music star said he was taking a break on the set of show when he first spotted Firerose, who was visiting the studio lot for an audition.
“On that given day, Firerose came out of the front door. There was almost a moment of, I don’t know, recognition. I was like, ‘This girl’s a star,’” he explained, adding that he brought Firerose onto the set of “Hannah Montana,” where he introduced her to the cast and crew.
“In some ways, well, in a lot of ways, we became friends,” he explained.
In October 2023, Firerose revealed during an appearance on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" that when she first crossed paths with Cyrus, he was with his dog Tex.
“Tex, who was the most beautiful German shepherd you’ve ever seen,” Firerose continued, "he was tapped into some divine purpose because we were, you know, at the time just friends and all these years later — that was, like, 14 years ago — all these years later we just got married.”
April 2022: Billy Ray Cyrus and ex Tish Cyrus get divorced
After filing for divorce two times previously, Billy Ray Cyrus and his ex-wife, Tish Cyrus, called it quits a third time.
The two were married from 1993 to 2022 and share five kids: Brandi Cyrus, Trace Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Braison Cyrus and Noah Cyrus.
Billy Ray Cyrus is also dad to son Christopher Cyrus, whom he shares with ex-girlfriend Kristin Luckey.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com