Dolly Parton given $100m by Jeff Bezos to support her tireless charity work
Dolly Parton and Jeff Bezos (Getty Images / Envato)
LGBTQ+ icon Dolly Parton has been awarded $100 million by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos – and she’s promising to use it for “good things”.
The country music singer won the multi-million dollar prize, which amounts to £84.8 million, as part of the Bezos Courage & Civility Award to recognise people who “pursue solutions with courage and civility”.
The announcement was made on Saturday (12 November) during a ceremony celebrating the Jolene artist for her philanthropy work, which Bezos described as “just incredible”.
Upon receiving the award to a round of heartfelt applause, with no ounce of her larger-than-life personality held back, Parton exclaimed: “Wow! Did you say 100 million dollars?
“When people are in a position to help, you should help, and I know that I’ve always said I try to put my money where my heart is,” she continued.
“I will do my best to do good things with this money.”
We’ve just announced a new Courage and Civility award recipient — @DollyParton, who leads with her heart, and will put this $100 million award to great use helping so many people. She joins prior awardees, @VanJones68 and @Chefjoseandres. Congrats, Dolly! pic.twitter.com/dzTuoGVp3G
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) November 12, 2022
After Parton shared her message on social media, users congratulated the singer for the award and for her hard work towards helping to improve human rights.
“Dolly, you are a national treasure, congratulations!” one person wrote.
The artist has funded a number of campaigns, events, and organisations that strive to improve the lives of marginalised groups, including the LGBTQ+ community.
She was recently applauded by journalist Michael Harriot for quietly funding equipment at majority Black high schools.
In a tweet, Harriot noted a “surprising number” of choir members at majority Black high schools have told him Dolly Parton paid for their uniforms and instruments.
Users were quick to back up the tweet, with one saying their marching band in East Tennessee had been equipped with high-quality instruments, uniforms and flags… and Parton was the main fundraiser.
“That woman is a national treasure,” they added.
Dolly Parton speaks on stage during the 37th annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. (Getty)
Because Parton deserves all the praise in the world, she was also officially inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (RRHOF) during its 37th ceremony on 5 November.
The RRHOF aims to recognise the history and significance of rock music and the artists that have defined it, honouring music icons such as Elvis Presley and Nirvana.
Parton initially turned down the nomination in March, saying she hadn’t “earned the right” and doesn’t consider herself a “rock and roll” artist.
“I do hope that the [RRHOF] will understand and be willing to consider me again – if I’m ever worthy,” she said in a statement. “This has, however, inspired me to put out a great rock ‘n’ roll album at some point in the future.”
She eventually accepted the nomination after fans urged her to reconsider, saying she wholeheartedly deserved it.
The star explained she initially believed the honour was “for the people in rock music,” but later found out “it’s not necessarily that”.
