Country music star and philanthropist Dolly Parton received a $100 million “Bezos Courage and Civility Award” from Amazon.com founder billionaire Jeff Bezos, an honor that recognizes leaders who “bravely and civilly seek solutions,” he said online. .
Bezos, who also owns the Blue Origin space rocket company, announced the award Friday along with his longtime partner, news anchor Lauren Sanchez.
Sanchez said on Instagram that Parton is “a woman who gives with her heart and leads with love and compassion in all aspects of her work.”
“We can’t wait to see all the good they’re going to do with this $100 million prize,” he said.
Parton, in a video clip of the ceremony posted online, said: “Wow! Did you say 100 million dollars?
“I think people who are in a position to help should put their money where their heart is. I will do my best to do good things with this money,” she said.
Parton, 76, a county pop and gospel singer-songwriter whose songs include “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene” and many other hits over the decades, has been a longtime philanthropist.
She donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to help develop a vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parton, who this month was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, also founded several charities, including the Dollywood Foundation, which focuses on education and poverty alleviation.
Bezos’s award began in 2001, with the awards first being presented to activist Van Jones, who served as founding CEO of the REFORM Alliance and Dream Corps, and chef and humanitarian José Andrés, who established World Central Kitchen, which provides food immediately after. of disasters
