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“Wow! Did you say $100 million?” Dolly Parton told businessman Jeff Bezos after the donation was announced.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced a $100 million donation to American country music legend Dolly Parton.
The singer, 76 years old and with an estimated fortune of US$375 million, according to Forbesis known for its philanthropic actions and the money donated by Bezos will go to charitable causes.
The billionaire, the second richest person on the planet after Elon Musk, presented Parton this weekend with the Bezos Courage & Civility Awardwhich recognizes leaders who “courageously seek solutions.”
The country star, who has supported causes including children’s literacy, will be able to donate the cash to charities of her choice.
In a video of the ceremony posted online, Parton told Bezos: “Wow! Did you say $100 million?”
“I think those who are in a position to help should put their money where their hearts are. I will do my best to do good things with this money,” he added.
Bezos launched the award in 2021 with donations for activist Van Jones and Spanish cook José Andrés, who established World Central Kitchen, which provides food in disaster-stricken countries.
Parton, a singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman and philanthropist, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame earlier this month.
She has been a prominent promoter of charities and creator of the dollywood foundationwho has given books to children all over the world.
“We couldn’t have thought of someone better to give this award to than Dolly, and we know she’s going to do amazing things with him,” Bezos’ partner Lauren Sanchez told CNN.
A fortune of 11 zeros
Bezos, 58, accumulates capital of more than $100 billion.
Specifically, it is estimated that he has US$124,000 million and this Sunday he said in an interview with CNN that plans to give away most of that money.
The businessman said that he will donate his wealth to combat climate change and reduce inequality.
He declined to provide any further details about where he would spend or donate the money, but said: “The hard part is figuring out how to do it productively.”
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Jeff Bezos, whose fortune amounts to US$124,000 million, along with his partner, Lauren Sanchez.
He had previously been criticized for not promising to dedicate his fortune to charity.
the investor Warren Buffetthe founder of Microsoft, Bill Gatesand Bezos’ ex-wife, mackenzie scottThey promised to give away their money.
The billionaire has in the past pledged $10 billion to the Bezos Earth Fund, which he launched in 2020 to help fight climate change.
The decision came after Bezos and other businessmen were criticized for spending large amounts of money on trips to space instead of solving problems on Earth.
Amazon had also been criticized in the past by its workers for its impact on climate change.
Bezos became one of the richest people on the planet after Amazon, the internet retail megastore he founded in 1994, became a global phenomenon.
The businessman stepped down as Amazon CEO in 2021 but remains chairman of its board.
He also owns the newspaper Washington Post and the space tourism company Blue Origin.
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Why Jeff Bezos donated $100 million to country legend Dolly Parton – BBC News