Taylor Swift turns her billion dollar net worth into a heartfelt $1 million donation after dad’s surgery as Travis Kelce stands beside her

Taylor Swift did something deeply personal, and very powerful. The global pop star donated $1 million to the American Heart Association to honor her father, Scott Swift, after his serious heart surgery earlier this year.

On Tuesday, Dec. 23, PEOPLE exclusively confirmed the donation. The gift comes after Scott Swift, 73, went through a quintuple bypass surgery, a major heart operation that doctors say can save lives. Taylor Swift’s donation will help fund heart research, better treatment, and life-saving care for people across the United States. According to a press release, the 36-year-old singer’s support will help expand access to care and improve prevention efforts for heart disease.

It is a cause that now hits very close to home for her.“Taylor Swift’s remarkable generosity will create lasting change far beyond its financial value,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, in a statement. Taylor’s decision also comes during a busy time in her life. She is one of the richest artists in the world, with an estimated net worth of about $1.1 billion, according to Forbes, and she is also in a high-profile relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Even with fame, wealth, and global success, this moment shows a more personal side of Taylor, a daughter standing by her dad.

Taylor Swift opens up about Scott Swift’s surgery while dating Travis Kelce and using her wealth for good

In July, PEOPLE confirmed that Scott Swift had undergone quintuple bypass surgery just over a month earlier and was recovering well. TMZ first reported the surgery.Scott went in for a regular check-up when doctors noticed something unusual. The surgery was not caused by a heart attack. According to the Mayo Clinic, coronary bypass surgery helps blood flow around blocked arteries in the heart.Taylor Swift, her brother Austin Swift, 33, and her mother Andrea Swift, who has been married to Scott for 37 years, stayed with him throughout the surgery and recovery.

During Taylor’s first appearance on Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast in August, she spoke about the experience.“It was really intense,” Taylor said. “It all happened really quick.”She shared that her dad always had a “perfect EKG,” but a stress test showed five blockages. Taylor moved in with him during the summer and helped care for him.“My brother and my mom and I were each taking shifts in the ICU and staying with him 24/7,” she said, calling the experience “surreal.”

Nancy Brown also highlighted Taylor’s emotional impact beyond money.“Her family’s experience with cardiovascular disease is all too common, affecting nearly half of American adults,” Brown said.“Her commitment to supporting her father will make so many others aware of the need to take their own heart health seriously.”Known for her famous “heart hands,” Taylor Swift is now using that symbol, and her massive platform, to bring real change.Also Read: Is Taylor Swift Pregnant? NFL Analyst Bill Simmons Sparks Shock Claim While Urging Travis Kelce To Quit Chiefs Early