President Biden plans to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, his highest civilian honor, to a wide range of public figures, celebrities and cultural figures in his final ceremony as president on Saturday, including well-known Contains a list of names.
The 19 recipients include some of the Democratic Party’s most prominent leaders and backers. They are Hillary Clinton, philanthropist and major Democratic donor George Soros, and Robert F. Kennedy, who will be honored posthumously.
The list created by Biden included some of the biggest names in sports, entertainment, fashion and film. We would like to introduce each award winner.
Jose Andres
Aside from his fame as a celebrity chef, Mr. Andres’ philanthropic work became a highly visible element of the Gaza War during Mr. Biden’s presidency. That’s because his aid organization, World Central Kitchen, took on the dangerous role of transporting food to the region after the Gaza war. The war displaced most of the country’s 2.2 million residents. Last year, seven World Central Kitchen workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike while on duty in Gaza, drawing attention to the dangers of wartime starvation and the dangers aid workers face.
bono
The Irish singer-songwriter has forged a close friendship with Biden during his time in office, with his band U2 described by the president as a “bridge between Ireland and America.” Mr. Biden was personally introduced The band attended the 2022 Kennedy Center Honors and hosted Bono at the 2023 State of the Union.
Ashton B. Carter (after death)
Mr. Carter is a Rhodes scholar and trained physicist who served as Secretary of Defense under President Barack Obama. He comes to the post after a long career at the Pentagon, using his influence as secretary of defense to expand military eligibility for women and transgender service members. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 68.
Hillary Clinton
After running against Clinton for the presidential nomination, Biden served alongside Clinton under Obama as vice president.
michael j fox
Mr. Fox is known for his roles in the films “Back to the Future” and the 1980s sitcom “Family Ties.” He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the age of 29 and was in a position to lead research into the disease through his foundation.
Tim Gill
After founding Quark, a high-tech company that developed innovative layout and design software in the 1980s and ’90s, Gill sold his shares to focus on philanthropy for LGBTQ rights and advocacy. His foundation has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in campaigns to change policy on issues such as marriage equality and school bullying.
jane goodall
The scientist and activist, who turns 90 this year, is known for her groundbreaking work in the study of primate and human evolution.
fannie lou hamer (after death)
Ms. Hammer, a civil rights activist and co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, was born into a sharecropping family during the Jim Crow era and fought for equal representation in politics. She died in 1977 at the age of 60.
Earvin Johnson
Johnson, a five-time NBA champion and basketball star known as “Magic,” publicly announced his HIV diagnosis in the early ’90s and helped end the stigma of living with the virus. Since then, he has become an influential voice off the court. He was a close supporter of Biden during the presidential campaign, where he struggled in Michigan.
Robert F. Kennedy (after death)
Robert F. Kennedy had a storied career in Democratic politics as a senator and attorney general of the United States before his assassination in 1968. His son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is a supporter of the Republican Party and President-elect Donald J. Trump. President Trump nominates Secretary of Health.
ralph lauren
The 85-year-old’s clothes were a favorite of Jill Biden throughout her time as first lady, and she was the first fashion designer to receive the Medal of Freedom.
lionel messi
The Argentine soccer superstar made the list less than two years after retiring from the top of international football to play for Inter Miami. His presence in the American League brought the club a surge in viewership and revenue.
bill nye
Instilled in the hearts of millions of children through his role as host of “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” Nye became a popular TikTok personality after the show ended in 1999. He has also re-emerged as a champion of science and climate policy.
George W. Romney (after death)
Mr. Romney, a Republican and former chairman of American Motors Corporation, later served as governor of Michigan for three terms and served as President Richard M. Nixon’s housing secretary. As governor, he embraced a variety of progressive policy stances, including support for the civil rights movement and opposition to the Vietnam War. He passed away in 1995 at the age of 88.
David M. Rubenstein
The billionaire co-founder of the Carlyle Group has donated to fund the construction of some of the most famous sites around Washington, including the Washington Monument and the National Zoo.
george soros
Soros, a Biden ally and ardent supporter of liberal causes, is one of several prominent Democrats to receive the award during Biden’s presidency. Soros, a billionaire and major Democratic donor, has become a polarizing figure in American politics and is often maligned by conservative commentators.
george stevens jr.
Mr. Stevens is a filmmaker, producer, and founder of the American Film Institute and Kennedy Center Honors. His writing and producing credits include the 1998 film “The Thin Red Line” and a play about the life of Thurgood Marshall. Outside of film and theater, his work has focused on preserving the traditions of American film.
denzel washington
Mr. Washington, a noted actor, served as national spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs of America for more than 30 years. selected Biden was scheduled to receive the award in 2022, but was absent from the ceremony after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Anna Wintour
Ms. Wintour is the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, a position she has held since 1988. He is a major fundraiser at the center of the Democratic Party celebrity world and serves as co-chairman of the annual Met Gala.
