Dolly Parton has added a long-awaited Oscar to her remarkable list of achievements.
The 79-year-old country icon received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award during the 2025 Governors Awards on Nov. 16, marking the first Academy Award of her legendary career.
Parton accepted the honor in a heartfelt video message recorded from her Nashville home, calling the award “a great honor” and “a blessing of a lifetime.”
Holding her golden statuette, she reflected on the values that shaped her life. “I grew up in a house with 12 kids,” she said. “Now, that alone teaches you how important sharing is. We didn’t have much, but my mama and daddy taught me that the more you give, the more blessings come your way.”
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She added that she has spent her life trying to follow their example. “I’ve been blessed more than I ever dreamed possible — like this award tonight,” Parton said. “It’s an honor just to be considered. It makes me want to dream up new ways to help lift people up. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be here for? From my heart to yours, I truly thank you.”
Her 9 to 5 co-star and longtime friend Lily Tomlin presented the honor in person at the Governors Awards ceremony inside the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood. The evening also recognized Debbie Allen, Tom Cruise and Wynn Thomas with Academy Honorary Awards.
Academy President Janet Yang praised Parton earlier this year, saying she “exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts.”
The singer has been nominated twice for Best Original Song — first in 1980 for “9 to 5,” and again in 2005 for “Travellin’ Thru” from Transamerica. But despite her status as one of the most successful recording artists in history, selling over 100 million records, Parton’s philanthropic work has been equally influential.
Her Dollywood Foundation, founded in 1988, has supported education initiatives in her Tennessee hometown for decades. The organization launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 1995, a program that mails free books to children under age five. To date, the initiative has donated an astonishing 285 million books worldwide.
