Bono, Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

Bono, Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington were among the latest individuals to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the US.

The title is the nation’s highest civilian honour and is awarded to people who “have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavours”.

On Saturday (January 4), Joe Biden bestowed the award on a total of 19 people at a ceremony at the White House, with U2 frontman Bono being recognised for his work as “a pioneering activist against AIDS and poverty”, per a statement from the White House. “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).”

Today, President Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 great leaders who have made America a better place. pic.twitter.com/d610LtMoes

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 4, 2025

Double Oscar-winner Washington, meanwhile, is honoured for his service as “National Spokesman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for over 25 years”, while Back To The Future star Fox is described by the President as “a world-renowned advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development”.

Among the other famous faces receiving the honour are Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, the British conservationist Jane Goodall, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire philanthropist George Soros.

Other recipients include football legend Lionel Messi, science broadcaster Bill Nye and NBA legend Magic Johnson, while Robert F. Kennedy will receive a posthumous award.

The ceremony is one of Biden’s final official duties before Donald Trump is officially inaugurated for the second time on January 20.

Fox was recently credited as the inspiration for the portrayal of Parkinson’s disease on the show Shrinking by its co-creator Bill Lawrence.

He also made headlines this summer for his appearance during Coldplay’s Glastonbury headline set something he later described as “fucking mind blowing”.

Bono, meanwhile, is back in the studio working on a new U2 album, with drummer Larry Mullen Jr. back after his hiatus due to injury.