Jeff Bezos Awards Singer Dolly Parton With $100 Million! Here's Why

Dolly Parton, an American singer-songwriter and philanthropist, received a $100 million reward from billionaire Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com, as part of the Bezos Courage & Civility Award. Bezos, together with his longtime partner as well as news anchor Lauren Sanchez, announced the prize on Friday. Sanchez wrote on Instagram that Dolly Parton is "a woman who gives with her heart and leads with love and compassion in every aspect of her work."

Similar to the agreement Bezos made last year, when he gave $100 million each to activist/pundit Van Jones and humanitarian chef José Andrés, Parton is free to spend the funds to support any charitable cause she chooses. And after receiving the award, she tweeted thanking Bezos.

The Imagination Library, a well-known literacy initiative that is currently on track to send its 200 millionth free book to small kids in five countries, is one of Parton's ongoing humanitarian endeavours. Strongly in favour of immunisation, she also contributed $1 million to the coronavirus research fund at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in support of Moderna Inc.'s injection.

Jose Andres, one of the earlier recipients of Jeff Bezos' $100 million prize, donated half of the money to launch the Climate Disaster Fund, bolstering its current initiatives to support localities facing life-threatening situations. Following Russia's extensive assault, his squad also hurried to give hot meals to Ukrainians.

Since stepping down as Amazon's CEO last year, Bezos, the fourth-richest person in the world, has upped his philanthropic endeavours. With his $10 billion Earth Fund, he is primarily concentrating on combating climate change. He has also made a $200 million gift to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.