Dolly Parton Drops Unexpected Truth In Oscar Message

Dolly Parton just added a new kind of gold to her legendary career, and the world is celebrating with her.

The 79-year-old icon accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in a heartfelt video message at the 2025 Governors Awards, marking her first-ever Oscar win.

However, while fans expected gratitude and charm, Parton also used the moment to share deeply personal reflections about her upbringing, lifelong mission to give back and the unexpected sacrifices she made while chasing her dreams.

Parton accepted her Oscar from her home in Nashville, holding the golden statuette and calling the moment both a “great honor” and “a blessing of a lifetime.”

She opened up about her childhood, saying, “I grew up in a house with 12 kids. Now, that alone teaches you how important sharing is.”

Though her family didn’t have much, the legendary singer explained that her parents showed her through their example that “the more you give, the more blessings come your way.”

Parton told viewers that she has tried to follow those values throughout her life and has been rewarded far beyond what she ever expected.

She added that receiving the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award inspires her to “dream up new ways to help lift people up.”

Closing her message, she shared, “From my heart to yours, I truly thank you.”

While Dolly Parton delivered her acceptance from Nashville, the Governors Awards ceremony unfolded at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Los Angeles, where her humanitarian impact was celebrated alongside fellow honorees Debbie Allen, Tom Cruise, and Wynn Thomas.

The Academy President previously praised her in a June announcement, saying Parton “exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts.”

The moment marked a historic first Oscar win for the superstar, who had been nominated twice before for Best Original Song.

Beyond her musical fame, with more than 100 million records sold, Parton’s philanthropic work has shaped her legacy.

She founded the Dollywood Foundation in 1988, supporting educational success in her Tennessee community.

In 1995, it expanded into Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a book-gifting program that has delivered 285 million books to children under five.

Parton’s celebratory week also aligned with her PEOPLE Magazine cover for her new book “Star of the Show: My Life on Stage,” where she opened up about the unseen parts of her journey.

The “I Will Always Love You” hitmaker admitted she has spent decades moving at full speed and only recently realized how much she had given up along the way.

She shared, “I have just been going so fast my whole life. And I just start thinking, ‘How in the world did I even have a life? How did I even get it done?’ I really realized when I was putting this book together just how much I had sacrificed in my life.”

Parton explained that she never had children and felt grateful she did not carry the guilt many parents feel when pursuing demanding careers.

She also gave fans a look into her private routine, revealing that she starts her day at 3 a.m., puts on makeup, and even wears heels around the house because, she joked, “I’m short. I got to reach my cabinets!”

Even with her Oscar win and new book release, Dolly Parton’s recent health challenges remain on fans’ minds.

A source close to the star shared that she is continuing to improve after health issues forced her to postpone her Las Vegas residency from December 2024 to September 2026.

The insider said, “Dolly is getting better every day.” They added that she is spending her time at home surrounded by visiting friends and family who are helping support her recovery.

True to her famously joyful spirit, the source said Parton has already begun decorating for the holidays, her favorite time of year, bringing warmth and celebration back into her home as she heals.