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President George W. Bush presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Pope John Paul II in the Sala Clementina, Vatican, on June 4, 2004.
President Bill Clinton awards Baptist minister and politician Rev. Jesse Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House on August 9, 2000.
President Barack Obama presents former US president George H.W. Bush with the 2010 Medal of Freedom on February 15, 2011.
Businessman and philanthropist Warren Buffett is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by president Barack Obama on February 15, 2011.
See also: The most inspirational quotes from American presidents
Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom by president George H.W. Bush in 1991.
Blues icon Riley "B.B." King receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from president George W. Bush on December 15, 2006.
President Barack Obama presents singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 24, 2014.
Singer-songwriter Bob Dylan is presented with a Presidential Medal of Freedom by president Barack Obama on May 29, 2012.
President Richard Nixon presents jazz pianist, composer, and band leader, Duke Ellington, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on April 29, 1969.
President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to NBA icon Michael Jordan, on November 22, 2016.
President Barack Obama awards Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 22, 2016.
President Barack Obama presents singer Diana Ross with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House on November 22, 2016.
Singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by president Barack Obama on November 22, 2016.
President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Freedom to theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking on August 12, 2009.
President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former US president Bill Clinton on November 20, 2013.
President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to film director Steven Spielberg on November 24, 2015.
President Donald Trump presents golf icon Tiger Woods the Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 6, 2019.
Singer and actress Barbra Streisand receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama on November 24, 2015.
Actress Meryl Streep receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama on November 24, 2014.
President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to talk show host Oprah Winfrey on November 20, 2013.
President George W. Bush awards former boxing champion Muhammad Ali the Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 9, 2005.
Actor Robert Redford receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama on November 22, 2016.
President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres on November 22, 2016.
Actor Tom Hanks is awarded the Presidential Medal Of Freedom by President Barack Obama on November 22, 2016.
President Barack Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Hollywood star Robert De Niro on November 22, 2016.
Actor and filmmaker Kirk Douglas is given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by president Jimmy Carter in 1980.
President Ronald Reagan presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to singer Frank Sinatra in 1985.
President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Freedom to Academy Award-winning actor Sidney Poitier on August 12, 2009.
President Ronald Reagan presents the Medal of Freedom to Roman Catholic nun and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mother Teresa in 1985.
President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles on July 7, 2022. Biles is the youngest person ever to receive the award, at the age of 25.
President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to then Vice President and future President of the United States Joe Biden on January 12, 2017.
First Lady Barbara Bush places the Presidential Medal of Freedom around the neck of US Army General Colin Powell. The medal was awarded by President George H.W. Bush on July 3, 1991.
Soccer star and LGBTQ+ rights advocate Megan Rapinoe is given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by president Joe Biden on July 7, 2022.
Civil rights activist Rosa Parks and President Bill Clinton stand with during the Congressional Black Caucus dinner on September 14 , 1996 in Washington D.C. Rosa Parks received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the US. It's has been awarded by the US president, ever since President John F. Kennedy established it by Executive Order on February 22, 1963. The medal recognizes those who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
In this gallery, we look at some of the famous personalities who have been presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Click through and get to know them.
Famous people who received a Presidential Medal of Freedom
From musicians to actors, and everything in between
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The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the US. It's has been awarded by the US president, ever since President John F. Kennedy established it by Executive Order on February 22, 1963. The medal recognizes those who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
In this gallery, we look at some of the famous personalities who have been presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Click through and get to know them.