Recent Award Recipients
Bono, Michael J. Fox, and Denzel Washington were among the last individuals to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the United States.
Honoring Notable Contributions
The medal is the nation’s highest civilian award, conferred on those who have “made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other important social, public, or private endeavors.”
On Saturday (Jan. 4), Joe Biden honored a total of 19 recipients at a White House ceremony. U2 frontman Bono was recognized for his efforts as a “pioneering activist in the fight against AIDS and poverty,” as stated in a White House announcement. “He united politicians from different parties to establish the PEPFAR AIDS program in the United States and is a co-founder of ONE and (RED).”
Today, President Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 great leaders who have made America a better place. pic.twitter.com/d610LtMoes
— White House (@WhiteHouse) January 4, 2025
Denzel Washington, a two-time Oscar winner, is celebrated for his role as the “National Spokesperson for Boys & Girls Clubs of America for over 25 years.” The Fox star is acknowledged by the president as “a world-renowned advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development.”
Other prominent individuals who received this prestigious honor include: Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, British conservationist Jane Goodall, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and billionaire philanthropist George Soros.
Additional recipients include soccer legend Lionel Messi, science broadcaster Bill Nye, and NBA icon Magic Johnson, while Robert F. Kennedy will be honored posthumously.
The ceremony was one of Biden’s final official responsibilities before Donald Trump is sworn in for a second term on January 20.
Fox recently garnered praise for the show’s depiction of Parkinson’s disease, a project he co-authored with Bill Lawrence.
Additionally, he made waves this summer with his appearance at Coldplay’s Glastonbury festival, which he later described as “bloody mind-blowing.”
Meanwhile, Bono is back in the studio working on a new U2 album, with drummer Larry Mullen Jr. returning after an injury hiatus.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/bono-michael-j-fox-and-denzel-washington-receive-presidential-medal-of-freedom-3826077?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bono-michael-j-fox-and-denzel-washington-receive-presidential-medal-of-freedom
