Hillary Clinton, George Soros, and 17 other individuals will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a ceremony at the White House.

 Hillary Clinton, George Soros, and 17 other individuals are set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a ceremony at the White House.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire philanthropist George Soros will be honored at the White House on Saturday.

Jan. 4, 2025, 4:00 PM GMT+6

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is set to present the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to over a dozen distinguished figures, including politicians, philanthropists, and cultural icons, the White House announced on Saturday.

The 19 recipients of the prestigious medal include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire philanthropist George Soros. The award ceremony will take place at the White House on Saturday, with four of the honorees being recognized posthumously.

The medal is granted to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the nation's prosperity, values, security, world peace, or significant societal endeavors, as outlined by the White House in its official statement.

“These 19 individuals are exemplary leaders who have improved America and the world,” the White House said. “Their greatness stems not only from their achievements but from their character and the remarkable impact they’ve made on their country and beyond.”

Clinton will receive the award just two weeks before her former political rival, President-elect Donald Trump, begins his second term. In 2016, Clinton became the first woman nominated for president by a major party, although she lost the election to Trump.

Soros, the founder of Open Society Foundations, has contributed over $32 billion to support human rights and pro-democracy causes. He is also a major backer of Democratic causes.

Other honorees include renowned humanitarian and chef José Andrés, recognized for his World Central Kitchen initiative, which provides food relief in disaster and war zones; Jane Goodall, a pioneering conservationist and scientist; and Bill Nye, the famous science educator known for "Bill Nye the Science Guy."

Entertainment and sports figures receiving the medal include U2’s Bono, actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, athletes Lionel Messi and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, as well as fashion icons Anna Wintour and Ralph Lauren.

Several figures will be honored posthumously, including Robert F. Kennedy, a senator and former attorney general who was assassinated in 1968 during his presidential campaign. Also receiving posthumous recognition are Ashton Carter, who served as Secretary of Defense under President Obama, and George Romney, the former governor of Michigan and father of Senator Mitt Romney.

Biden himself was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2017 by President Barack Obama, in a surprise ceremony held during the final days of the Obama administration.

During his presidency, Biden has presented the medal to numerous individuals, with ceremonie typically held annually. He also awarded the medal to former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards in November.

Earlier this week, Biden presented the Presidential Citizens Medal to 20 recipients, including Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), both of whom served on the House January 6th committee and faced significant criticism from Trump. The Presidential Citizens Medal is the second-highest civilian honor, following the Presidential Medal of Freedom.