Washington — President Biden is awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to Hillary Clinton and 18 others “who have made America a better place,” the White House announced Saturday.
Clinton, who served as first lady, senator, secretary of state, and was the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party, “made history many times over decades in public service,” the announcement said.
Other recipients include actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, U2 frontman Bono, Inter Miami soccer star Lionel Messi and billionaire philanthropist George Soros. Those receiving the award posthumously are former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, former Defense Secretary Ash Carter and former Michigan Gov. George W. Romney.
Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP 
Mr. Biden is also honoring ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, retired Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson, chef and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, science educator Bill Nye “The Science Guy,” LGBTQ activist and entrepreneur Tim Gill, billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein and American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr. Several of the recipients are longtime donors to Biden and the Democratic Party.
Biden gave brief remarks before presenting the awards on Saturday afternoon, taking a moment to collectively address the nominees.
“Together, you leave an incredible mark – and I mean this sincerely, this group – you leave an incredible mark on our country,” he said.
Throughout Biden’s remarks, his grandson Beau Biden could be heard in the background. As he began to make noise from the crowd, Biden smiled and cracked a joke.
“By the way, kids rule in this house,” he said. “Don’t worry about it.”
Several of the recipients, including Andrés and Fox, became visibly emotional as Biden gave them their medals. When Clinton’s name was called, she received a standing ovation from attendees. A second standing ovation came after all the honors had been given.
Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP 
“Not a bad group, huh?” Biden said after all the nominees had been awarded.
Messi was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, according to the White House.
According to the White House, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is “presented to individuals who 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 award was established by Robert F. Kennedy’s brother, the late President John F. Kennedy, in 1963.
