LDT. Dolly Parton Receives Honorary Oscar for Humanitarian Work, Cementing Her Status as an American Treasure
HOLLYWOOD, CA — In a night filled with reverence, applause, and heartfelt emotion, country music legend Dolly Parton added one of the most prestigious honors in entertainment to her already extraordinary legacy. At the 2025 Governors Awards, Parton accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an honorary Oscar presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to individuals whose humanitarian efforts have enriched the cultural and civic life of the world.
The audience inside the Dolby Ballroom rose to its feet before the first syllable of Parton’s acceptance speech was spoken. Long celebrated for her unmistakable voice, razor-sharp wit, and enduring songwriting, it was her decades of philanthropy that took center stage this time. Her initiatives — from children’s literacy programs, education grants, wildfire relief, and music scholarships, to the now-global Imagination Library, which has gifted more than 230 million free books to children — were cited as direct, transformative contributions to society.
Academy leadership noted that Parton’s service extends far beyond celebrity charity. Her giving, they emphasized, has measurable impact: rural libraries saved from closure, disaster victims rehoused, and a generation of children introduced to reading because Dolly believed that “a kid with a book is a kid with potential.”
Parton, characteristically humble, accepted the award in a shimmering gown and disarming laughter. She thanked her parents, her Tennessee roots, and “every kid who picked up a book and believed they belonged in a story.” She also dedicated the recognition to “dreamers, helpers, and anyone who tries to leave the world a little better than they found it.”
Industry peers say the award feels not just appropriate — but inevitable. Dolly has crossed every artistic boundary imaginable: country icon, pop crossover star, film actor, theme-park founder, business mogul, and now humanitarian laureate. Her visibility and influence extend into conversations about literacy, childhood development, and economic opportunity, placing her among the few entertainers whose work continues to shape American culture in tangible ways.
As the ceremony concluded, one sentiment echoed from Hollywood insiders and country fans alike: Dolly Parton may have started as a singer, but she evolved into something more — a beacon of generosity, joy, and purpose. With an honorary Oscar now shining beside her Grammys, CMA wins, and worldwide accolades, her legacy is no longer confined to country music or entertainment.
It belongs to history.
