Jeff Bezos awards Dolly Parton $100 million to charities of her choice

Virgin Radio

14 Nov 2022, 11:09

Dolly Parton has been given a hefty sum of money by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. That's a not-too-shabby $100 million (around £85.1m) to use on charities close to her heart.

The billionaire shared the generous news on Twitter and wrote: "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!"

Dolly was presented with the prestigious award which was founded in 2001 and aims to recognise leaders who 'pursue solutions with courage and civility'.

Jeff reposted a video uploaded by his co-presenter Lauren Sanchez, who wrote: “Jeff and I are so proud to share that we have a new Bezos Courage and Civility Award winner - 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 $100 million award.”

Dolly accepted the prize and assured the audience she would 'do good things with this money'.

The country singer added: “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.

“And I think you do the same thing.”

The Grammy-winning superstar was recently honoured at a ceremony in New York and received a philanthropy award for her children’s book programme.

“I don’t do [this work] for attention,” she told The Associated Press. “But look! I’m getting a lot of attention by doing it.”

She continued: “I just give from my heart. I never know what I’m going to do or why I’m gonna do it. I just see a need and if I can fill it, then I will.”