Biden to Honor 19 with Presidential Medal of Freedom, Including Clinton, Soros, Messi

Jan 4, 2025, 11:52 AM

President Joe Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to 19 individuals, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, billionaire philanthropist George Soros, soccer superstar Lionel Messi, actor Denzel Washington, U2 frontman Bono, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, chef José Andrés, conservationist Jane Goodall, basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, actor Michael J. Fox, scientist Bill Nye, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, and the late Robert F. Kennedy, former Attorney General, who will be honored posthumously. Ralph Lauren becomes the first fashion designer to receive the award, and Messi will be the first Argentine to be honored. The ceremony will take place at the White House on Saturday.