Biden awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to prominent personalities

On January 5, 2025, President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 distinguished individuals at the White House. This highest civilian honor in the United States is given for exceptional contributions to the prosperity, values ​​and security of the United States, to world peace, and to significant social and public endeavors. Among those honored are prominent names such as Hillary Clinton, George Soros and Denzel Washington.

The event featured recipients from a variety of backgrounds, including politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights and LGBTQ activism. Four of the medals were awarded posthumously, including to Robert F. Kennedy, Ashton Carter, George Romney and Fannie Lou Hamer, known for her significant influence in the fight for civil rights in the United States. This diversity illustrates the different backgrounds and talents of the award winners, which Biden particularly emphasized when awarding the medals.

Multifaceted award winners

The list of honorees includes not only politicians and philanthropists, but also artists and athletes. In addition to Hillary Clinton and George Soros, José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen and humanitarian, and the renowned conservationist Jane Goodall were honored. Science educators Bill Nye and Michael J. Fox, soccer star Lionel Messi and basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson are also among the honorees. Other honorees include fashion icons such as Anna Wintour and Ralph Lauren, as well as filmmaker George Stevens Jr. and entrepreneur Tim Gill.

Last year, 19 people also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, including Medgar Evers, Nancy Pelosi, James Clyburn and Michelle Yeoh. The awarding of this medal is an integral part of the presidency of Biden, who was himself honored with this award by Barack Obama in 2017.

For detailed coverage of the honorees and the event, visit the articles at Sarajevo Times and NBC News.