Dolly Parton has children's hospital named after her after making a 'generational and transformational' donation

Dolly Parton put some of her $450 million fortune to good use when she made a donation to East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville, TN which was so massive that they renamed the entire facility, Dolly Parton Children's Hospital.

'What I can tell you is that she has made a generational and transformational commitment to Children's and its mission,' president and CEO Matt Schaefer told Chief Healthcare Executive on Monday.

'And 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. And we're excited about and humbled by her willingness to do so.'

Schaefer is excited to use the 80-year-old country legend's undisclosed amount to recruit more clinicians, build on fundraising, and invest in people, programs and technology for the 89-year-old, not-for-profit pediatric hospital.

'I've been in a position to do my part to help others. I have tried to do just that, especially when children and families need it most,' Parton said in a February 26 video.

'I've always believed that every child deserves a fair chance to grow up healthy, hopeful and surrounded with love. Now, that belief is what brought me together with the incredible folks at East Tennessee Children's Hospital.'

The national treasure - who's only a Tony Award away from EGOT status - grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee 'surrounded with my family and people who believed in love and faith, music and taking care of one another.'

'And these experiences help shape who I am and what I believe in. Now, I learned these lessons early, and they've stayed with me ever since,' Parton said.

'In addition to expert care, children need hope. They need comfort and they need to know that they are seen and valued. And together, we're committed to strengthening a relationship where world-class care and a caring heart go hand in hand for children across East Tennessee and beyond.'

The Dollywood founder continued: 'And I hope that you'll join me in supporting this work. I can't do it all myself! I'm going to need you. So when we come together for our children, there's no limit to what we can do.'

On Wednesday, Parton also announced her Dolly 'Joleans' collaboration with denim brand Good American, which was co-founded by Khloé Kardashian and Emma Grede in 2016.

The godmother of Miley Cyrus' collection - featuring western shirts, cropped tanks and thigh-baring jeans - drops this Thursday at 7am PT.

Parton made her first public appearance in months on March 13 in honor of Dollywood's 41st season opening day celebration where she told WLOS News 13: 'I've had a few little health issues, and we're taking good care of them.'

March 3 marked the one-year anniversary of the death of the Backwoods Barbie's husband Carl Dean, at age 82, from undisclosed causes following nearly 59 years of marriage.

'I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over Carl and a lot of other little things going on,' Parton continued.

'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.'

The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award winner was only 18 when she famously met the asphalt road-paver in 1964 at the Wishy Washy Laundromat the day after moving to Nashville from Sevierville to start her career.

It was also health reasons which postponed Parton's six-date residency, Dolly: Live in Las Vegas, at Caesars Palace's Colosseum until September 17.

The Please Please Please singer's multimedia symphonic storytelling experience Threads: My Songs In Symphony is next scheduled to hit up the Eugene Symphony Orchestra on May 1.

Parton - who gets 16 million monthly listeners on Spotify - has sold over 100M records and broken 10 Guinness World Records.

The Light of a Clear Blue Morning singer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.