Eva Longoria Receives $50M Award from Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez to Spend on Philanthropy: ‘Truly Remarkable’

Eva Longoria is being honored by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez for her philanthropy.

The couple announced Friday that Longoria, 49, was one of the 2024 recipients of the Bezos Courage and Civility Award, according to a press release.

The actress was honored Thursday at the Courage & Civility Awards Event in Washington, D.C., which included “a fireside chat” with Van Jones and José Andrés and a video featuring Dolly Parton, all of whom previously received the award.

The honorees will receive $50 million each “as part of the honor” and can direct the funds “to the charities of their choice.”

“I am honored and thrilled to have this opportunity to build and expand on that work to invest in the infrastructure of opportunity for my community,” Longoria said in the press release.

Speaking with Elle, Longoria said she intends to “continue doing what I’ve been doing” with the Eva Longoria Foundation, which aims to “help Latinas build better futures for themselves and their families through education and entrepreneurship.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I like to focus on women, because women truly are the changemakers in families,” Longoria explained. “When you help a woman, she helps her family. And then when you help families, you improve communities. And when you improve communities, you can improve nations.”

Established in 2021, the Bezos Courage and Civility Award aims to “support leaders addressing today’s seemingly intractable problems” and “recognize leaders who aim high and pursue solutions with courage and civility,” according to Friday’s press release.

Longoria said she started her self-named foundation 12 years ago “because Latinos believe in the American Dream, but we don’t always have enough access to it.” 

“To get a gift like this to expand your vision is truly remarkable,” Longoria told Elle.

Four-star Admiral Bill McRaven, who oversaw the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden, also received the 2024 award for “his dedication to serving others at the highest levels when the stakes are at their most critical,” according to Friday’s press release.

The admiral has made various public statements “in support of” democracy in the United States and has personally worked to support both veterans and the children of fallen soldiers.

McRaven plans to donate the $50 million he received between three initiatives, according to Elle: “educating the children of our fallen heroes, particularly in the special operations community,” mental health and financially supporting future military leaders.

“I am both humbled and excited about all the lives that will be changed through this remarkable gift,” he said.