Dolly Parton bags $100m award from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos
Country music star Dolly Parton has been given a $100m (£85m) prize by Jeff Bezos.
The money came via the Bezos Courage and Civility Award, which recognises leaders who “pursue solutions with courage and civility”.
Bezos, 58, announced the award along with his girlfriend, the 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 every aspect of her work”.
“We can’t wait to see all the good that you’re going to do with this $100m award,” she added.
Parton, in a video clip of the ceremony posted online, said: “Wow! Did you say $100m?”
“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.”
Parton, 76, a country, pop and gospel singer-songwriter, whose songs include I Will Always Love You and Jolene, has been a long-time philanthropist.
She donated $1m (£850,000) 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, has also founded a number of charities including the Dollywood Foundation, which focuses on education as well as poverty relief.
Bezos’ award was started in 2001, with prizes first going to activist Van Jones, who served as founding chief executive of the REFORM Alliance and Dream Corps, and chef and humanitarian Jose Andres, who established World Central Kitchen, which provides food in the immediate aftermath of disasters.
