Since stepping down as Amazon's CEO last year, Jeff Bezos, who has a $123.9 billion fortune and is the fourth-richest person in the world, has intensified his charitable endeavors.?
In addition to announcing a $200 million gift to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, he focuses most of his attention on addressing climate change via his $10 billion Earth Fund.
Bezos stated that he and his partner, journalist-turned-philanthropist Lauren Sanchez, were "building the capacity to be able to give away this money".
The entrepreneur, who serves as executive chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, has pledged $10 billion to fight climate change and protect the environment.
?The "Bezos Courage & Decency Award," which honors leaders who "pursue solutions with courage and civility," gave $100 million to the philanthropist and country music icon Dolly Parton, he confirmed on Twitter on Saturday.
The music icon has received $100 million from Bezos to donate to any charities of her choice.
"She gives with her heart and leads with love in every aspect of her work. What she's done for kids, literacy, and so many other things, is just incredible," Jeff Bezos said in a video posted on social media.?
The singer, thanking Jeff Bezos, said, "I try to put my money where my heart is, and I think you do the same thing. I will do my best to do good things with this money."
The 76-year-old Parton has run a nonprofit giving kids books worldwide. Firmly in favor of immunization, she contributed $1 million to the coronavirus research fund at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to support Moderna Inc.'s vaccine.
Former beneficiaries of Jeff Bezos' $100 million prize include Van Jones, the founder of Dream.org, and chef Jose Andres. The World Central Kitchen project, which provides food to those in disaster-stricken locations worldwide, was started by Jose Andres.
(With agency inputs)
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