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| President Joe Biden awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The White House, Washington, United States, January 4, 2025 | Photo: Reuters |
Sixteen days before leaving the White House as President of the United States, Joe Biden was awarded 19 stars from various worlds, including politics, economics, sports, and entertainment, with the country's highest honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
On Saturday, Biden presented the medals to former US Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Clinton and their representatives at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House.
According to Reuters, popular soccer star Lionel Messi also accepted the award. However, he could not attend the ceremony in person due to his schedule.
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| President Joe Biden presents media executive and cultural figure Anna Wintour with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The White House, Washington, United States, January 4, 2025 | Photo: Reuters |
Among these distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to American society, politics, economics, and other sectors are the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, the late George Romney, father of former Senator Mitt Romney, liberal politician and billionaire George Soros, media executive and cultural figure Anna Wintour, musician Bono, actor Michael J. Fox, basketball legend Irvin Johnson (known as Magic), and investor David M. Rubenstein.
Other notables include software entrepreneur Tim Gill, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, television personality Bill Nye known as 'The Science Guy', World Central Kitchen CEO and founder Jose Andres, the late former Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter, primatologist Jane Goodall, human rights activist Fannie Lou Hammer, American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr., and actor Denzel Washington.
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| President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to musician Bono. The White House, Washington, United States, January 4, 2025 | Photo: Reuters |
In a statement yesterday about the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House said, "The recipients of the honor are being recognized for taking America a step further.
President Biden believes that great leaders stand firm in their convictions, give everyone the respect they deserve, and prioritize good behavior above all else."
The statement further said, "Each of these 19 people is a good leader who has taken the United States a step further. They are good leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to the country and the world."