Country music star Dolly Parton has been awarded a $100m (£85m) prize from Jeff Bezos.
The money comes from the Bezos Award for Courage and Civility, which honors leaders who “find solutions with courage and civility.”
Bezos, 58, announced the award with his girlfriend, news anchor Lauren Sanchez.
Sanchez said on Instagram that Parton is “a woman who gives her heart and leads with love and compassion in all aspects of her work.”
She added: “We can’t wait to see what you’ll do with your $100 million prize.”
Partonsaid in a video clip of the ceremony posted online: “Wow! Did you say $100 million?”
“I think people who are in a position to help should put their money where their mouths are.
“I’m going to do whatever good I can with this money.”
Parton, 76, is a country, pop and gospel singer-songwriter whose songs include “I Will Always Love You” and “Joline” and has long been a philanthropist.
She donated $1 million (£850,000) to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to help develop a vaccine During the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo: Associated Press
Patton, who is this month? inducted into the rock and roll hall of fameAlso founded a number of charities, including the Dollywood Foundation, which focuses on education and poverty alleviation.
Bezos’ awards began in 2001 with activist Van Jones, who served as the founding CEO of Reform Alliance and Dream Corps, and chef and humanitarian Jose Andrés, who founded World Central The kitchen, immediately delivers the aftermath of a food disaster.