Dolly Parton donates "generational and transformational" sum to children's hospital
Search
- The Cover
### THE LATEST
Search
Dolly Parton donates “generational and transformational” sum to children’s hospital
The hospital's president called Parton's contribution "beyond generous" and a "lifeline"
3rd April 2026
Dolly Parton. CREDIT: Theo Wargo/WireImage
Dolly Partonhas made a “transformational” donation to a children’s hospital.
Earlier this year, the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital became the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital following the country star making a considerable monetary contribution.
Advertisement
Now, the hospital’s president and CEO, Matt Schaefer, has spoken about the funding. “What I can tell you is that she has made a generational and transformational commitment to Children’s and its mission,” he said in an interview with the Chief Healthcare Executive.
“That commitment is something that goes beyond our wildest expectations, that is beyond generous, and will be a lifeline for this mission for now and for years to come,” he added. “And we’re excited about and humbled by her willingness to do so.”
WATCH
Wunderhorse at Reading & Leeds 2024 on expanding to a full band and their new album ‘Midas’
More Videos
0 seconds of 6 minutes, 14 seconds Volume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard Shortcuts Enabled Disabled
Shortcuts Open/Close/ or ?
Play/Pause SPACE
Increase Volume↑
Decrease Volume↓
Seek Forward→
Seek Backward←
Captions On/Off c
Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreen f
Mute/Unmute m
Decrease Caption Size-
Increase Caption Size+ or =
Seek %0-9
Next Up
The National on Taylor Swift fans coming to their shows | Glastonbury 2024
01:37
Live
00:00
06:14
06:14
Schaefer did not specify the amount of Parton’s donation, but said that the contribution “positions this organisation and the community around us in a really enviable and exciting place.”
The funding will be divided across multiple focus points to benefit the children receiving treatment and the physicians providing those services.
Recommended
Janet Jackson (59) Finally Shows Her Son Eissa: He Is So Grown Up!PlayCardGamez
Undo
Savannah Guthrie's Salary Is Unacceptable Cars And Yachts
Undo
Meghan’s mansion proves why she left, here's how it looks inside Little Fries
Undo
Chappell Roan responds to criticism of NSFW Grammys “awesome and weird” red carpet outfit Chappell Roan has responded to those who have criticised the NSFW red carpet outfit she wore to the Grammys this weekend.
Undo
Pamela Anderson says seeing Seth Rogen at the Golden Globes “felt yucky” after ‘Pam & Tommy’ fallout Pamela Anderson has revealed she left the Golden Globe Awards early on Sunday (January 11) in part to avoid Seth Rogen.
Undo
Paul McCartney temporarily banned from Reddit for posting photos from his own concert Paul McCartney's official Reddit account was hit with a temporary ban over the weekend after he tried to share photos of his own gig.
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
In other news, last month Parton made her first public appearance of 2026 and shared a health update with fans, after hersister inadvertently raised rumours of her ill health last October.
Following her sister’s statement, Parton reassured fans and shared she had been facing several “health challenges” which forced her to cancel her Las Vegas residency.
“I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on,” she added, notingthe loss of her husband Carl Dean, who she was married to for 58 years before his death last March.
Advertisement
“I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But, all is good. It didn’t slow me down.”
Following his passing, the country star previously said that she hadput working on new songs “on hold”to cope with the loss but she has since been busy.
She continued: “I’ve just been doing a lot of writing, a lot of thinking, a lot of praying and a lot of getting ready for a lot of new stuff coming up for the rest of this whole year. So, be ready for me. I ain’t done, I ain’t near done.”
In the weeks following Dean’s death,Parton said that she was “doing better than I thought I would”, and thenreleased the poignant single ‘If You Hadn’t Been There’ in his honour– describing the significance he had in her life and his role in helping her become the person she is today.
She has since marked her 80th birthday by sharing a new version of 1977’s ‘Light Of A Clear Blue Morning’ in January, featuringQueen Latifah, Reba McEntire,Lainey Wilsonand her goddaughterMiley Cyrus to honour the song’s 50th anniversary.
U2frontmanBonoalso surprisedher by sending a bagpiper to play for her on her 80th birthday,and Parton featured in apre-recorded video in honourofOzzy Osbourne‘s Liftetime Achievement Award at theBRIT Awardslast month.
- Related Topics
- Country
- Dolly Parton
You May Also Like
[Say Goodbye to Scratches: The Genius Gel Every Car Owner Needs Motor Trend | SponsoredSponsored Learn More](https://waxtopiastore.com/product/2uni8hakswxc "Say Goodbye to Scratches: The Genius Gel Every Car Owner Needs")
Undo
[Search for nearshore development solutions Research nearshore development solutions on Yahoo. View top results now.Yahoo Search | Nearshore dev | SponsoredSponsored Learn More](https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/r "Search for nearshore development solutions")
Undo
[Walking shoes for elderly with poor balance souatsole | SponsoredSponsored](https://sg.happyfunnycart.com/pages/e2c/51e173c0-2751-11f1-8ca5-57a20fbb3931.html "Walking shoes for elderly with poor balance")
Undo
[Stiff Rotator Cuff? This 12-Minute Method Relieves The Ache Shoulder Relief News | SponsoredSponsored](https://ad.rejuvacare.com/5b96808e-b94d-4032-a46b-958da4a70195 "Stiff Rotator Cuff? This 12-Minute Method Relieves The Ache")
Undo
[IRS E-File is Open - File Now & Get That Refund!TurboTax | SponsoredSponsored Learn More](https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/tax-news/e-file-is-now-open-why-you-should-file-your-taxes-early-21087 "IRS E-File is Open - File Now & Get That Refund!")
Undo
[Don’t Miss These Tax Deductions & Credits TurboTax | SponsoredSponsored Learn More](https://blog.turbotax.intuit.com/tax-planning-2/guide-filing-taxes-2024-tax-law-changes-61904 "Don’t Miss These Tax Deductions & Credits")
Undo
[Everyone Hates Car Scratches, Few know this Removal Trick Motor Trend | SponsoredSponsored Learn More](https://waxtopiastore.com/product/2uni8hakswxc "Everyone Hates Car Scratches, Few know this Removal Trick")
Undo
Search For The Best Cleanser For Acne Prone Skin Yahoo Search | Cleanser Search Now
Undo
Search for erp software solutions Research erp software solutions on Yahoo. View top results now.Yahoo Search | ERP software Learn More
Undo
[Dermatologist: Don't Moisturize, Tighten Skin Fast With This Household Item Miami MD | SponsoredSponsored](https://mmd-trk.com/6371a0f1-bb36-4a5a-9505-c581bc685005 "Dermatologist: Don't Moisturize, Tighten Skin Fast With This Household Item")
Undo
[Search for outplacement programs businesses Research outplacement programs businesses on Yahoo. View top results now.Yahoo Search | Outplacement programs | SponsoredSponsored Learn More](https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/r "Search for outplacement programs businesses")
Undo
Chappell Roan responds to criticism of NSFW Grammys “awesome and weird” red carpet outfit Chappell Roan has responded to those who have criticised the NSFW red carpet outfit she wore to the Grammys this weekend.NME
Undo
Pamela Anderson says seeing Seth Rogen at the Golden Globes “felt yucky” after ‘Pam & Tommy’ fallout Pamela Anderson has revealed she left the Golden Globe Awards early on Sunday (January 11) in part to avoid Seth Rogen.NME
Undo
Advertisement
TRENDING
‘The Drama’ review: Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s darkly funny wedding comedy should come with a trigger warning
Wesley Joseph’s cinematic leftfield R&B and rap finds beauty in overlooked places
On ‘Ambiguous Desire’, Arlo Parks turns fleeting nocturnal moments into lasting songs
How David Chase used music to make ‘The Sopranos’ a timeless classic
Girl Scout’s anthemic indie-rock grapples with the mess of life
Advertisement
More Stories
Charley Crockett – ‘Age Of The Ram’ review: a bold, ambitious victory for the innovative country star
Willie Nelson’s new album ‘Dream Chaser’ features a song he wrote with Bob Dylan
Dolly Parton shares health update in first public appearance in months: “I needed to build myself back up”
Watch CMAT cover Girls Aloud’s ‘Biology’ with Katy J Pearson in Manchester
Country To Country to expand to Manchester in 2027: “Y’all ready?”
Ringo Starr announces new album ‘Long Long Road’ with Billy Strings, Sheryl Crow and St. Vincent
The world’s defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking what’s new and what’s next since 1952.
### Join Our Mailing ListSign Up Now >
When you purchase through affiliate links on NME.com, you may contribute to our site through commissions. Learn more
© 2025 NME is part of NME Networks.
Keep on reading
Chappell Roan responds to criticism of NSFW Grammys “awesome and weird” red carpet outfit Chappell Roan has responded to those who have criticised the NSFW red carpet outfit she wore to the Grammys this weekend.NME
Undo
Pamela Anderson says seeing Seth Rogen at the Golden Globes “felt yucky” after ‘Pam & Tommy’ fallout Pamela Anderson has revealed she left the Golden Globe Awards early on Sunday (January 11) in part to avoid Seth Rogen.NME
Undo
Paul McCartney temporarily banned from Reddit for posting photos from his own concert Paul McCartney's official Reddit account was hit with a temporary ban over the weekend after he tried to share photos of his own gig.NME
Undo
Barry Keoghan says online “abuse” about his appearance is so bad it makes him “not want to go outside”Barry Keoghan says online "abuse" about his appearance is so bad it makes him "not want to attend places, not want to go outside”NME
Undo
Tommy Lee Jones and family release statement after daughter Victoria was found dead The family of Victoria Jones, the daughter of Oscar-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones, have released a brief statement following her tragic death.NME
Undo
[Say Goodbye to Scratches: The Genius Gel Every Car Owner Needs Motor Trend | SponsoredSponsored Learn More](https://waxtopiastore.com/product/2uni8hakswxc "Say Goodbye to Scratches: The Genius Gel Every Car Owner Needs")
Undo
[Stiff Rotator Cuff? This 12-Minute Method Relieves The Ache Shoulder Relief News | SponsoredSponsored](https://ad.rejuvacare.com/5b96808e-b94d-4032-a46b-958da4a70195 "Stiff Rotator Cuff? This 12-Minute Method Relieves The Ache")
Undo
Martin Short’s daughter Katherine dies at the age of 42 Katherine Hartley Short, the daughter of Martin Short, has died at the age of 42 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.NME
Undo
Pooh Shiesty arrested for allegedly robbing and kidnapping Gucci Mane Pooh Shiesty arrested for allegedy robbing and kidnapping Gucci Mane. The rapper has been signed to Gucci Mane's 1017 label since 2020.NME
Undo
Harvey Weinstein gives first interview in six years, says prison life is “hell”Harvey Weinstein has given his first interview in six years, describing life in Rikers Island prison as "Hell"NME
Undo
Donald Trump threatens to deport Robert De Niro in social media rant Donald Trump has criticised Robert De Niro for his comments about him, calling them "criminal" and implying he should be deported NME
Undo
Gwyneth Paltrow was fired from movie over backlash to Chris Martin ‘conscious uncoupling’Gwyneth Paltrow says that she was fired from a movie over backlash to Chris Martin 'conscious uncoupling' blog post NME
Undo
[Everyone Hates Car Scratches, Few know this Removal Trick Motor Trend | SponsoredSponsored Learn More](https://waxtopiastore.com/product/2uni8hakswxc "Everyone Hates Car Scratches, Few know this Removal Trick")
Undo
[Search for nearshore development solutions Research nearshore development solutions on Yahoo. View top results now.Yahoo Search | Nearshore dev | SponsoredSponsored Learn More](https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/r "Search for nearshore development solutions")
Undo
Freddie Mercury’s “secret daughter” dies, aged 48 The woman who claimed to be the “secret daughter” of Queen legend Freddie Mercury has died at the age of 48.NME
Undo
Kelly Osbourne responds to criticism after BRITs appearance: “I won’t allow myself to be dehumanized”Kelly Osbourne has hit out at people criticising her after her appearance at the BRIT Awards, saying she will not be “dehumanized”.NME
Undo