Biden awards Anna Wintour, George Soros and Bono with Medal of Freedom
Vogue editor Dame Anna Wintour, U2 frontman Bono and billionaire George Soros are among those who have received America's highest civilian honour from outgoing President Joe Biden.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined actors Denzel Washington and Michael J Fox as they also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a White House ceremony.
Nineteen people received the honour this year, spanning the worlds of culture, politics and activism.
The White House said the recipients had been chosen because are they are "good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world".
At Saturday afternoon's ceremony, Biden told the recipients: "Together, you leave an incredible mark - and I mean this sincerely, this group - you leave an incredible mark on our country."
Bono, whose real name is Paul David Hewson, has already been awarded the highest cultural honour of France and received an honorary knighthood.
He is known for campaigning against poverty and supporting those with HIV/Aids.
Wintour, one of the most significant players in fashion, has been serving as editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988 and among other charities helped raised more than $20m for Aids research.
She also raised money for UK arts organisations following funding cuts in 2022.
The White House said in a statement that billionaire philanthropist and Democratic megadonor George Soros had "supported organizations and projects across the world that strengthen democracy, human rights, education and social justice".
Back to the Future star Michael J Fox looked emotional as Biden praised his accomplishments, including his advocacy for Parkinson's disease research.
Hillary Clinton received a standing ovation from attendees when her turn came. She was the Democratic White House candidate who lost to Donald Trump in the 2016 election.
Inter Miami soccer star Lionel Messi, retired Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson and fashion designer Ralph Lauren also received the medal.
American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr and former Kennedy Center chair David Rubinstein were among the cohort receiving medals.
Other recipients include humanitarian and chef José Andrés, whose World Central Kitchen has helped provide food for civilians in war zones and areas hit by natural disasters; acclaimed British conservationist Jane Goodall and science educator Bill Nye.
Former US Attorney General Robert F Kennedy, former Defence Secretary Ash Carter, civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer and former Governor of Michigan George W Romney will receive the award posthumously.
Established under former president John F Kennedy, the medal is awarded at the discretion of the president on the advice of an external advisory panel.
Previous recipients of the award include the most decorated gymnast of all time Simone Biles, Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh and Apple founder Steve Jobs.
Hillary Clinton, George Soros and Denzel Washington received the highest US civilian honor
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the East Room of the White House on a particularly frigid Saturday afternoon, President Joe Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton aroused a standing ovation from the crowd as she received her medal. Clinton was accompanied to the event by her husband former President Bill Clinton, daughter Chelsea Clinton and grandchildren. Democratic philanthropist George Soros and actor-director Denzel Washington were also awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor in a White House ceremony.
“For the final time as president I have the honor bestowing the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, on a group of extraordinary, truly extraordinary people, who gave their sacred effort, their sacred effort, to shape the culture and the cause of America,” Biden said in his opening remarks.
“Let me just say to each of you, thank you, thank you, thank you for all you’ve done to help this country,” Biden said Saturday.
Four medals were awarded posthumously. They went to George W. Romney, who served as both a Michigan governor and secretary of housing and urban development; former Attorney General and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy; Ash Carter, a former secretary of defense; and Fannie Lou Hamer, who founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and laid the groundwork for the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Kennedy is father to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for health and human services secretary. Biden said, “Bobby is one of my true political heroes. I love and I miss him dearly.”
Romney is the father of former Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, one of Trump’s strongest conservative critics.
Biden has days left in the Presidential office and has spent the last few days issuing awards and medals to valiant military veterans, courageous law enforcement officials and exceptional Americans.
The White House said the Medal of Freedom recipients have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
Major philanthropists receiving the award include Spanish American chef José Andrés, whose World Central Kitchen charity has become one of the world’s most recognized food relief organizations, and Bono, the front man for rock band U2 and a social justice activist.
Soros’ son Alex Soros accepted the medal on his father’s behalf. In an emailed statement, Soros said: “As an immigrant who found freedom and prosperity in America, I am deeply moved by this honor.”
Sports and entertainment stars recognized include professional soccer player Lionel Messi, who did not attend the event; retired Los Angeles Lakers basketball legend and businessman Earvin “Magic” Johnson; actor Michael J. Fox, who is an outspoken advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development; and William Sanford Nye, known to generations of students as “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”
Other awardees include conservationist Jane Goodall; longtime Vogue Magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour; American fashion designer Ralph Lauren; American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr.; entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ activist Tim Gill; and David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group global investment firm.
Lauren is the first fashion designer to receive the honor.
Last year, Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on 19 people, including the late Medgar Evers, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina and actor Michelle Yeoh.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded 654 times between 1963 and 2024, according to the Congressional Research Service. Notable Medal of Freedom recipients from the past include Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou and Mother Teresa.
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Hillary Clinton, George Soros and 17 others honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom at White House ceremony
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor to more than a dozen politicians, philanthropists and cultural icons during a ceremony at the White House Saturday.
Nineteen individuals received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire donor George Soros. Four people were honored posthumously.
In a speech at the ceremony, Biden called the award recipients, "a collection of people, with different backgrounds and beliefs and talents, different generations and different agendas, using their remarkable gifts and unwavering passion to strengthen our resolve as one nation under god indivisible, liberty and justice for all."
He addressed the group, telling them, "you answered the call to serve and led others to do the same thing, and you defend the values of America even when they’re under attack, because they have been."The medal is “presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” the White House said in a news release ahead of the ceremony.
“These nineteen Americans are great leaders who have made America a better place,” the statement added. “They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.”
Clinton received the award about two weeks before her former political rival, President-elect Donald Trump, will be sworn in for a second term. In 2016, Clinton became the first woman nominated by a major party for president before losing to Trump.
Soros, who founded the Open Society Foundations, has contributed more than $32 billion to his organization, which supports a variety of human rights and pro-democracy causes, according to his website. He is also a major Democratic donor.
Other recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday included humanitarian and chef José Andrés, whose World Central Kitchen has helped provide food for civilians in war zones and areas hit by natural disasters; Jane Goodall, a highly acclaimed conservationist and scientist; and Bill Nye, a science educator who rose to fame with the show “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”
Several entertainment, sports and cultural icons were also honored, including U2 singer Bono, actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, athletes Lionel Messi and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and fashion icons Anna Wintour and Ralph Lauren.
Biden also honored multiple recipients posthumously, including Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 during a presidential run. Kennedy was a senator representing New York and had served as attorney general during the administration of his brother, President John F. Kennedy.
Also honored posthumously was Ashton Carter, who was secretary of defense during the Obama administration and oversaw the United States’ push against the Islamic State, and George Romney, the governor of Michigan during the 1960s and the father of former Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.
Biden himself received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2017 during the final days of the Obama administration. Then-President Barack Obama surprised Biden with the award, which was presented “with distinction,” an added honor.
Biden has awarded the medal to dozens of others during his four years in office. The ceremonies usually take place about once a year, though Biden also awarded former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards with the medal in November.
Earlier this week, Biden awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to 20 recipients, including Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. Thompson and Cheney served on the House Jan. 6 committee and have faced Trump’s ire. The Presidential Citizens Medal is the second-highest civilian honor, behind the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Biden awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Hillary Clinton, George Soros, 17 others
TODAYWASHINGTON ― President Joe Biden on Saturday named former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire political activist and philanthropist George Soros recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, part of a group of 19 people selected for the nation's highest civilian honor.
Others presented the medal by the outgoing president at a White House ceremony included U2 frontman Bono, actor Michael J. Fox, actor Denzel Washington, chef José Andrés and William Sanford Nye, better known as television's "Bill Nye the Science Guy."
From the sports world, decorated professional soccer player Lionel Messi of Argentina and retired NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson also received the medal. Messi did not attend the ceremony because of a scheduling issue.
"You all you all literally embody the nation's creed, e pluribus unum – out of many, one," Biden told the recipients during the ceremony in the White House East Room. "You feed the hungry. You give hope to those who are hurting, and you craft the signs and sounds our movements and our memories."
Four recipients were recognized posthumously: former Defense Secretary Ash Carter; civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer; Robert F. Kennedy, the former U.S. Attorney General and U.S. senator from New York, who was assassinated while running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968; and George Romney, a former Republican Michigan governor and chairman of American Motors Corporation.
Kennedy, one of Biden's heroes and brother of the late President John F. Kennedy, is the father of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of the Health and Human Services department. Romney is the father of outgoing U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.
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In choosing the 94-year-old Soros for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Biden honored a major contributor to liberal and Democratic causes as well as Biden's past presidential campaigns. Soros, a Hungarian-American of Jewish descent who made billions as a hedge fund manager, is a frequent target of criticism and conspiracy theories from the political right.
Clinton, the former first lady fiercely opposed by Republicans, received a standing ovation as she was introduced to the crowd during the ceremony. Clinton served as a U.S. senator from New York in addition to leading the State Department during the Obama administration. She ran unsuccessfully for president against Trump in 2016.
"All her career has been dedicated to an eternal truth: America's ideals are sacred, and we must always defend and live by them," said the citation read by a military aide before Biden draped medal around her neck.
Earlier this week, Biden awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal ‒ the country's second highest civilian award ‒ to former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., for their role leading the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. They were among 20 to receive the award.
Saturday's recipients are the second group of Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees Biden has announced this year after awarding 19 others in May including former Vice President Al Gore, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Below is the full list of Biden's latest Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients:
Renowned chef and founder of the nonprofit World Central Kitchen
Frontman of the rock band U2 and activist against AIDS and poverty
Ashton Baldwin Carter (posthumous)
Defense secretary under President Barack Obama
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Former first lady, U.S. senator of New York, secretary of state and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee
Actor who has won five Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Grammy Award, and an advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development
Tim Gill
Entrepreneur and advocate for LGBTQI rights and equality
Conservationist known for work studying primates and human evolution
Fannie Lou Hamer (posthumous)
Founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and civil rights activist
Retired basketball player who led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships, entrepreneur and philanthropist working with underserved communities through his Magic Johnson Foundation"
Robert Francis Kennedy (posthumous)
Former U.S. Attorney General, U.S. senator who was assassinated while running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968
Fashion designer, known for starting the clothing company Ralph Lauren, and philanthropist most notably in the fight against cancer and the preservation of the Star-Spangled Banner.
Lionel Messi
Decorated professional soccer player who supports healthcare and education programs for children through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
William Sanford Nye
Known as "Bill Nye the Science Guy" on television educating children about science, works as CEO of the Planetary Society and as a vocal advocate for space exploration and environmental stewardship.
George W. Romney (posthumous)
Chairman and president of American Motors Corporation, the 43rd Governor of Michigan and the 3rd Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
David M. Rubenstein
Co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group, renowned for his philanthropy and generous support for the restoration of historic landmarks and the country’s cultural institutions
George Soros
Billionaire hedge fund manager, known for philanthropic work and supporting progressive and Democratic causes
George Stevens, Jr.
Film producer, director and playwright
Denzel Washington
Actor, director, and producer who has won two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, two Golden Globes, and the 2016 Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award
Fashion icon who has led Vogue as editor-in-chief since 1988
Contributing: Michael Collins
