Bono and Anna Wintour Among Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom | US News
The lead singer of U2, Bono, alongside Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Dame Anna Wintour, and renowned British conservationist Dame Jane Goodall, are among the distinguished individuals set to receive the highest civilian award in the United States from outgoing President Joe Biden.
This year, the Presidential Medal of Freedom will be bestowed upon 19 esteemed individuals from various sectors, including politics, sports, entertainment, and others.
Anna Wintour. Pics: Reuters
Michael J. Fox, known for his role in Back To The Future and as a Parkinson’s campaigner, Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and billionaire philanthropist George Soros are also among the medal recipients.
The White House has announced that all honorees have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public, or private endeavors”.
President Biden is scheduled to present the medals during a ceremony on Saturday.
Four of the awards will be granted posthumously.
Hillary Clinton pictured last year. Pic: AP
The posthumous medals will be awarded to Fannie Lou Hamer, who was pivotal in founding the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and contributed significantly to the creation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act; former Attorney General and Senator Robert F. Kennedy; George W. Romney, who held roles as both a Michigan Governor and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and Ash Carter, former Secretary of Defense.
Mr. Kennedy is the father of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nominee for Health and Human Services under President-elect Donald Trump.
Mr. Romney is the father of former Utah Republican senator Mitt Romney, who of late has been one of Mr. Trump’s most vocal conservative critics.
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Bono, born Paul David Hewson, has previously been awarded France’s highest cultural distinction, the Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2013, was recognized as Time Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2005, and received an honorary knighthood from Britain in 2007.
At 64, he is widely recognized for his work in combating poverty and advocating for individuals affected by HIV/Aids.
U2 has recently been performing at a residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, an innovative venue featuring 168,000 square feet of state-of-the-art LEDs, 167,000 speakers, and seating for 17,000.
The iconic Irish band has produced numerous albums throughout their career, with their latest release, Songs Of Surrender, featuring reimagined versions of songs from their extensive catalog.
Dame Jane, at 90 years of age, is recognized as the leading authority on chimpanzees. She received a damehood in 2004 and was honored with the Templeton Prize in 2021, which exceeds £1 million in value.
