Bono, Denzel Washington to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

Bono, Denzel Washington, and Michael J. Fox are among the 19 people who will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the U.S.’s highest civilian honor, from President Joe Biden at the White House on Saturday.

Other recipients include Hillary Clinton, Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, soccer star Lionel Messi, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, George Soros, designer Ralph Lauren, chef Jose Andres, and conservationist Jane Goodall.

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

In honoring Bono, the White House recognized “the frontman for legendary rock band U2 and a pioneering activist against AIDS and poverty. He brought together politicians from opposing parties to create the United States PEPFAR AIDS program, and is co-founder of campaigning organizations ONE and (RED).”

In addition to Washington’s Oscar-winning acting career, the White House noted that he “served as National Spokesman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for over 25 years,” while Fox “is a world-renowned advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development” 

Biden will also posthumously give the medal to former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy — the father of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — as well as former Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and George W. Romney, the chairman of the American Motors Corp. and father of Mitt Romney.