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Bezos, who is also the owner of the space
rocket company Blue Origin, announced the award on Friday along
with his longtime partner, 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 $100 million award," she said.
Parton, in a video clip of the ceremony posted online, said,
"Wow! Did you say $100 million?"
"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," she said
Parton, 76, a county, pop and gospel singer-songwriter, whose
songs include, "I Will Always Love You," "Jolene," and many
other hits over the decades, has been a longtime philanthropist.
She donated $1 million 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, also has founded a number 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 CEO 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.
(Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Bill Berkrot)
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