Biden awards Wintour, Bono and Soros with Medal of Freedom

Vogue exertion Dame Anna Wintour, U2 frontman Bono and billionaire George Soros are among those who volition person America's highest civilian honour from outgoing President Joe Biden.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom volition beryllium awarded to 19 radical this year, spanning taste icons, politicians and campaigners.

The person been chosen due to the fact that are they are "good radical who person made bonzer contributions to their state and the world", the White House said.

Biden volition contiguous the medals astatine the White House successful a ceremonial connected Saturday.

Bono, who's existent sanction is Paul David Hewson, has already been awarded the highest taste honour of France and received an honorary knighthood.

He is known for campaigning against poorness and supporting those with HIV/Aids.

Wintour, 1 of the astir important players successful fashion, has been serving arsenic editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988 and among different charities helped raised much than $20m for AIDS research.

She besides raised money for UK arts organisations pursuing backing cuts successful 2022.

Billionaire philanthropist and large Democrat donor George Soros and US person Hillary Clinton are besides among recipients.

In 2018, Soros, a Hungarian-born financier, was 1 of the high-profile critics of Donald Trump to beryllium targeted by a message bomber.

Clinton, the erstwhile US caput of state, volition person the grant conscionable weeks earlier her erstwhile governmental rival is sworn successful arsenic president. She mislaid to Trump successful the 2016 election.

Cultural luminaries - including actors Denzel Washington and Michael J Fox - volition person the medal alongside shot prima Lionel Messi, retired Los Angeles Lakers hoops player Earvin "Magic" Johnson and manner decorator Ralph Lauren.

American Film Institute laminitis George Stevens Jr and erstwhile Kennedy Center seat David Rubinstein are among the cohort receiving medals.

Other recipients see humanitarian and cook José Andrés, whose World Central Kitchen has helped supply nutrient for civilians successful warfare zones and areas deed by earthy disasters; acclaimed British conservationist Jane Goodall and subject pedagogue Bill Nye.

Former US Attorney General Robert F Kennedy, erstwhile Defense Secretary Ash Carter, civilian rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer and erstwhile Governor of Michigan George W Romney volition person the grant posthumously.

Established nether erstwhile president John F Kennedy, the medal is awarded astatine the discretion of the president connected the proposal of an outer advisory panel.

Previous recipients of the grant see the astir decorated gymnast of each clip Simone Biles, Oscar-winning histrion Michelle Yeoh and Apple laminitis Steve Jobs.