Michael J. Fox, Denzel Washington, Hillary Clinton and More Earn Medal of Freedom Honors from Joe Biden: See the Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Hillary Clinton, Denzel Washington, Michael J. Fox, being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Tom Brenner/Getty(3)

A group of new individuals have been awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedom.PresidentJoe Bidenbestowed the nation’s highest civilian honor to an array of individuals — includingMichael J. Fox,Denzel WashingtonandHillary Clinton, to name a few — at theWhite Housein Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Jan. 4.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,” according to theWhite House.“President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else. These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place,” the White House added. “They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.“Here, see the Presidential Medal of Freedom receipts receiving their honor.

A group of new individuals have been awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedom.

PresidentJoe Bidenbestowed the nation’s highest civilian honor to an array of individuals — includingMichael J. Fox,Denzel WashingtonandHillary Clinton, to name a few — at theWhite Housein Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Jan. 4.

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,” according to theWhite House.

“President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else. These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place,” the White House added. “They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.”

Here, see the Presidential Medal of Freedom receipts receiving their honor.

01of 18Michael J. FoxTom Brenner/Getty

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Michael J. Fox

Tom Brenner/Getty

ctor Michael J. Fox is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Biden is awarding 19 recipients with the nation’s highest civilian honor.

02of 18Denzel WashingtonTom Brenner/Getty

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Denzel Washington

Actor Denzel Washington is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Biden is awarding 19 recipients with the nation’s highest civilian honor. (

03of 18Hillary ClintonTom Brenner/Getty

03of 18

Hillary Clinton

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton returns to her seat after being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Biden is awarding 19 recipients with the nation’s highest civilian honor

04of 18BonoTom Brenner/Getty

04of 18

Bono

U2 singer Bono is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025

05of 18Bill NyeTom Brenner/Getty

05of 18

Bill Nye

Science advocate and television host Bill Nye is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025

06of 18Earvin ‘Magic’ JohnsonTom Brenner/Getty

06of 18

Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson

Former NBA player Earvin “Magic” Johnson crouches while being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025

07of 18Alex Soros (Accepting on behalf of George Soros)Leigh Vogel/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty I

07of 18

Alex Soros (Accepting on behalf of George Soros)

Leigh Vogel/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty I

US President Joe Biden Alex Soros, son of award recipient George Soros, billionaire and founder of Soros Fund Management LLC, with the Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025

08of 18Doris Hamer Richardson (Accepting on Behalf of Fannie Lou Hamer)Leigh Vogel/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty

08of 18

Doris Hamer Richardson (Accepting on Behalf of Fannie Lou Hamer)

Leigh Vogel/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty

US President Joe Biden presents Doris Hamer Richardson, niece of Fannie Lou Hamer, awarded posthumously, with th Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025

09of 18George Stevens Jr.Leigh Vogel/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty

09of 18

George Stevens Jr.

US President Joe Biden presents George Stevens Jr., director and playwright, with the Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.

10of 18Mitt Romney (Accepting on Behalf of George W. Romney)CHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP via Getty

10of 18

Mitt Romney (Accepting on Behalf of George W. Romney)

CHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP via Getty

Former Senator Mitt Romney accepts on behalf of his father George W. Romney the Medal of Freedom from United States President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, January 4, 2025.

11of 18Stephanie Carter (Accepting on Behalf of Ashton Carter)CHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP via Getty

11of 18

Stephanie Carter (Accepting on Behalf of Ashton Carter)

US President Joe Biden presents Stephanie Carter, wife of former Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, awarded posthumously, with the Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025

12of 18Dr. Jane GoodallTom Brenner/Getty

12of 18

Dr. Jane Goodall

Ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025

13of 18David RubensteinTom Brenner/Getty

13of 18

David Rubenstein

David Rubenstein, founder of The Carlyle Group, is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025

14of 18Kerry Kennedy (Accepting on Behalf of Robert F. Kennedy)CHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP via Getty

14of 18

Kerry Kennedy (Accepting on Behalf of Robert F. Kennedy)

Kerry Kennedy on behalf of her late father Robert F. Kennedy receives the Medal of Freedom from United States President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, January 4, 2025.

15of 18Ralph LaurenTom Brenner/Getty

15of 18

Ralph Lauren

Fashion designer Ralph Lauren is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025

16of 18Tim GillCHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP via Getty

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Tim Gill

Human rights activist Tim Gill receives the Medal of Freedom from United States President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, January 4, 2025

17of 18José AndrésCHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP via Getty

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José Andrés

Spanish-American chef Medal of Freedom from United States President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, January 4, 2025.

18of 18Anna WintourCHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP via Getty

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Anna Wintour

Anna Wintour receives the Medal of Freedom from United States President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, DC, January 4, 2025.

source: people.com