TENNESSEE. (THECOUNT) — Country music superstar Dolly Parton was awarded a cool $100 million in prize money from the “Bezos Courage & Civility Award,” sponsored by Amazon.com founder, billionaire Jeff Bezos.
The award is in honor of leaders who “pursue solutions with courage and civility,” Bezos said.
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The Blue Origin honcho announced the massive award on Friday along with his longtime partner, news anchor Lauren Sanchez.
If you’re wondering, Dolly Parton’s net worth is already around $650 Million.
Sanchez said on Instagram that Parton is “a woman who gives with her heart and leads with love and compassion in every aspect of her work,” reports Reuters.
“We can’t wait to see all the good that you’re going to do with this $100 million award,” she said.
Parton, in a video clip of the ceremony, said, “Wow! Did you say $100 million?”
“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’s 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 has founded a number charities including the Dollywood Foundation, which focuses on education as well as poverty relief.