Bono, Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington are among the latest people to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the United States.
This title is the nation’s highest civilian honor and is awarded to individuals who “have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other societal endeavors, significant public or private sectors.
On Saturday (January 4), Joe Biden presented the award to a total of 19 people in a White House ceremony, with U2 frontman Bono being recognized for his work as a “pioneering campaigner against AIDS and poverty”, according to a White House press release. “He brought together politicians from opposing parties to create America’s PEPFAR AIDS program, and is co-founder of the campaign organizations ONE and (RED). »
Washington, a two-time Oscar winner, is honored for his service as “national spokesperson for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for over 25 years,” while Back to the future The Fox star is described by the president as “a world-renowned advocate for Parkinson’s research and development.”
Other famous faces receiving this honor include Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, British environmental advocate Jane Goodall, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire philanthropist George Soros.
Other recipients include soccer legend Lionel Messi, science broadcaster Bill Nye and NBA legend Magic Johnson, while Robert F. Kennedy will receive an award posthumously.
The ceremony is one of Biden’s last official functions before Donald Trump is officially inaugurated for the second time on January 20.
Fox was recently credited as the inspiration for the show’s portrayal of Parkinson’s disease. Contraction by its co-creator Bill Lawrence.
He also made headlines this summer for his appearance during Coldplay’s headline set at Glastonbury, something he later described as “f***ing mind-blowing”.
Bono, meanwhile, is back in the studio working on a new U2 album, with drummer Larry Mullen Jr. returning after an injury hiatus.
