I believe Dolly Parton could have been a billionaire if she played her cards right, crushing everyone in her path and donating smaller amounts of money and doing only token gestures. Instead she works so hard for what she believes in, education and literacy. (Did you know her dad was illiterate? It drove her to invest so much in this cause.)

I really respect her.

When do we start a new church where we try to be as good a person as Dolly Parton? Truly a legend.

This lady is a national treasure. My kids get free books each month because of her charity.

We don't deserve her.

There are so many celebrities that turn out to be jerks in real life that I try not to put any on a pedestal (so if they turn out to be jerks later, I'm not disappointed).

Dolly Parton is one of the few celebrities that seem so genuine and cool that I can't help but believe she's truly a good person.

She is a gem, and what real people who say they want to give back should look too.