Like everyone else, we are very sad that Dolly Parton has died. As you know, I have some Dolly Parton pet fashion. So I’m wearing it in her honor today.

Although she was a much beloved talent, Dolly was so much more than that.

She was an icon and an inspiration, who came from dirt poor roots and let nothing stand in her way of achieving success.

She was a creative force who could not be denied. An entertainer who found her niche and her look, and was absolutely unapologetic about it. She was an original, and gave those who paid attention the strength to follow their own paths, no matter what anyone said.

She was so talented that she wrote two of the 20th century’s best songs, “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” in the same day! At the time she was 27 and at the top of her country music career. It was only a few years later that she became a film star too. Her personality melted you right through the screen. You couldn’t help but adore her.

But Dolly was much more than that, and it’s something that is really important. She was a philanthropist. Her Dollywood Foundation began as a way to improve the education and literacy of the children of Sevier County, Tennessee, where she grew up. From there she started Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, her famous literacy program.

But literacy and education were only part of Dolly’s passions. She also raised money for the American Red Cross and AIDs causes, along with donating to several medical centers. She gave a million dollars to COVID research, which funded the early development of the Moderna vaccine.

Dolly was also a big donor for disaster relief and animal welfare. Her philanthropy list may be longer than her creative accomplishments!

But here is one thing about Dolly that not a lot of people think about. She generated at least a couple billion dollars in income — but she was never a billionaire. That’s because she was too busy giving money to good causes. She had an abundant and full life, but it was giving that made it all the richer.

And she did it all with a sweetness and charm that will never, ever be matched.

80 years may sound old, but she still wasn’t here long enough. The world needed her positive energy and goodwill. It still does.