On January 4, 2025, President Joe Biden honored 19 individuals with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, during a ceremony at the White House.
Among the recipients were former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, recognized for her decades-long public service and historic achievements, including being the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party.
International soccer star Lionel Messi was also honored for his exceptional contributions to sports and philanthropy. Since joining Inter Miami in July 2023, Messi has significantly boosted the popularity of Major League Soccer in the United States.
Other notable awardees included philanthropist George Soros, civil rights pioneer Fannie Lou Hamer (posthumously), U2 frontman Bono, actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, conservationist Jane Goodall, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, science communicator Bill Nye, and Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
President Biden emphasized that these individuals have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
The ceremony highlighted the diverse fields in which the honorees have excelled, reflecting the administration’s recognition of contributions to culture, science, human rights, and public service.
