Dolly Parton’s legacy of giving: Inside her decades of philanthropy

Dolly Parton, the country music legend who died Tuesday at age 80, leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond her music.

Throughout her life, Parton gave back through philanthropic efforts that supported childhood literacy, medical research and people in need, particularly in her home state of Tennessee.

Dolly Parton performs live for fans at Sydney Entertainment Centre, Feb. 18, 2014, in Sydney, Australia.Don Arnold/WireImage/Getty Images

Parton’s death was announced by her publicist. No cause of death was provided.

One of Parton’s philanthropic efforts was Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the book-gifting program she started in 1995.

Parton launched the program in her home county of Sevier County, Tennessee, inspired by her father, who could not read or write.