Washington — President Biden is awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to Hillary Clinton and 18 others "who have made America a better place," the White House announced Saturday.

Ralph Lauren, Hillary Clinton, Jane Goodall, Denzel Washington, and Bono are among 19 people who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in a ceremony (January 4) at the White House.

President Biden named former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, actor Denzel Washington, billionaire George Soros and Bono, lead singer of the rock band U2, among 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday. Why it matters: The award is the nation's highest civilian honor.

Nineteen of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science were awarded the medal. Here’s the full list.

The 19 recipients include actors, athletes, activists and political leaders.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded 654 times between 1963 and 2024, according to the Congressional Research Service. This year, one goes to

I am not saying that Messi has not been influential or not been important by any stretch of the imagination, but not only is it ridiculous

Former American defender Alexi Lalas has criticized the decision to award Lionel Messi the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Inter Miami captain was among the 19 people who received the Medal of Freedom last Saturday from President Joe Biden.