Dolly Parton's contributions to both country music and philanthropy are well documented, but the East Tennessee native has never received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor.
Apparently, there's a reason for that.
During an interview with TODAY on Monday (February 1), Parton revealed that she turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice during former President Donald Trump's administration.
"I couldn't accept it because my husband was ill and then they asked me again about it and I wouldn't travel because of the COVID," Parton said, adding that she has since heard from President Joe Biden regarding the award as well. "Now I feel like if I take it, I'll be doing politics, so I'm not sure."
"But I don't work for those awards. It'd be nice but I'm not sure that I even deserve it. But it's a nice compliment for people to think that I might deserve it."
Aside from being one of the most beloved figures in the history of country music, Parton has made notable humanitarian efforts both within her home state of Tennessee and globally.
The 'Jolene' singer is credited for donating $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, which helped researchers develop Moderna's coronavirus vaccine, among numerous other charitable contributions throughout her legendary career.
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