Dolly Parton Said No to the Medal of Freedom — Twice! Here's Why
Dolly Parton accepting the Liseberg Applause Award, 2010. Photo courtesy of Curtis Hilbun under CC BY 3.0.
Most celebrities would jump at the chance to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Not Dolly Parton. The country music icon has politely declined the award. Her reasons? They're pure Dolly: humble, honest, and just a little unexpected.
Did Dolly Parton Really Turn It Down?
Dolly Parton revealed that she was offered the Medal of Freedom more than once — first by the Trump administration and then by the Biden administration. She declined both offers.
Has Anyone Else Done This?
While it's rare to decline the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Dolly Parton's decision stands out — not just because of her immense popularity, but because of how she handled it. Others, like Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, have turned down the honor in the wake of political turmoil. But Dolly's reasons were deeply personal. Her quiet refusal, rooted in humility and a focus on doing the work, only adds to her legend.
Why Did She Turn It Down?
Dolly's reasons for declining the Medal of Freedom are straightforward. The first time, she reportedly cited her husband's illness as the reason for her inability to accept. The second time, she mentioned that she wouldn't travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dolly did express hesitancy accepting the award over concerns it might be seen as a political statement. In an interview with TODAY she said, "Now I feel like if I take it, I'll be doing politics, so I'm not sure." Dolly added, "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."
Dolly Plays Center Stage
There's been speculation online: Was Dolly snubbing Trump? Was she distancing from Biden?
But the truth cuts through the noise — she's just not interested in being seen as anyone's political pawn. Dolly has always appealed to both sides of the aisle with charm and grace. She's performed for presidents of both parties and regularly dodges partisan drama with a smile and a rhinestone wink.
What Did She Get It For, Anyway?
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded for significant contributions to national interest, world peace, or cultural endeavors. Dolly Parton's extensive work in music, her philanthropic efforts, and her commitment to promoting literacy and health have all been recognized as impactful.
Notably, she donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which played a key role in early research for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. In an interview with the BBC, Dolly said, "I'm sure many, many millions of dollars from many people went into that but I felt so proud to have been part of that little seed money that hopefully will grow into something great and help to heal this world. Lord knows we need it!" as reported by the Guardian.
Will She Ever Say Yes?
At this point, it doesn't seem likely. Dolly has made peace with her decision, even if others haven't. The award might come up again, but she's not looking for a medal — she's looking to make a difference.
Parton's story reminds us that true greatness isn't about medals or awards. It's about staying true to your values and doing good for the right reasons.
And frankly, the public already sees her as a national treasure — medal or not.
References: Dolly Parton Twice Declined Presidential Medal Of Freedom | Dolly Parton Turned Down Presidential Medal Of Freedom Twice From Trump | Dolly Parton turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom twice | Bill Belichick declines Presidential Medal of Freedom offer from Trump
