Hillary Clinton has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom - America's highest civilian honour - from Joe Biden.
Announcing the decision, the White House said Clinton, 77, “made history many times over decades in public service,” including by being the first woman nominated by a major party for a US presidential election.
The former Democrat leader, who was defeated by Donald Trump in the 2016 election, received the award 12 years after her husband, former President Bill Clinton, was given the honour by President Barack Obama.
She was joined by 18 other recipients, including actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington.
"These 19 Americans are great leaders who have made America a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world," the White House said in a statement.
The prestigious list of recipients included U2 frontman Bono, football star Lionel Messi, and basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson.
Chef José Andrés, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, and Vogue editor Anna Wintour were recognised for their cultural contributions.
Other honourees included conservationist Jane Goodall, philanthropist George Soros, and LGBTQ+ activist Tim Gill.
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Science educator Bill Nye, American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr., and businessman David Rubenstein rounded out the list of living recipients.
Posthumous medals were awarded to several prominent figures who made lasting impacts on American society.
The late Robert F. Kennedy, who served as senator and attorney general before his assassination in 1968, was among those honoured.
Civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, received the award posthumously.
Former Defense Secretary Ashton Baldwin Carter, who served under presidents of both parties, and former Michigan governor George Romney, father of former Utah Senator Mitt Romney, were also honoured posthumously.
The ceremony drew notable moments, with Biden telling recipients: "Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you've done.
"You all literally embodied the nation's creed: E pluribus unum, 'out of many, one.'"
This marks Biden's final presentation of the award, following ceremonies in 2022 and 2023 which honoured notable figures including Simone Biles and Michelle Yeoh.
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Announcing the decision, the White House said Clinton, 77, “made history many times over decades in public service,” including by being the first woman nominated by a major party for a US presidential election.
The former Democrat leader, who was defeated by Donald Trump in the 2016 election, received the award 12 years after her husband, former President Bill Clinton, was given the honour by President Barack Obama.
She was joined by 18 other recipients, including actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington.
"These 19 Americans are great leaders who have made America a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world," the White House said in a statement.
The prestigious list of recipients included U2 frontman Bono, football star Lionel Messi, and basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson.
Chef José Andrés, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, and Vogue editor Anna Wintour were recognised for their cultural contributions.
Other honourees included conservationist Jane Goodall, philanthropist George Soros, and LGBTQ+ activist Tim Gill.
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Science educator Bill Nye, American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr., and businessman David Rubenstein rounded out the list of living recipients.
Posthumous medals were awarded to several prominent figures who made lasting impacts on American society.
The late Robert F. Kennedy, who served as senator and attorney general before his assassination in 1968, was among those honoured.
Civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, received the award posthumously.
Former Defense Secretary Ashton Baldwin Carter, who served under presidents of both parties, and former Michigan governor George Romney, father of former Utah Senator Mitt Romney, were also honoured posthumously.
The ceremony drew notable moments, with Biden telling recipients: "Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you've done.
"You all literally embodied the nation's creed: E pluribus unum, 'out of many, one.'"
This marks Biden's final presentation of the award, following ceremonies in 2022 and 2023 which honoured notable figures including Simone Biles and Michelle Yeoh.
Find Out More...