Bono, Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

The title is the nation’s highest civilian honour and is awarded to people who “have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavours”.

On Saturday (January 4), Joe Biden bestowed the award on a total of 19 people at a ceremony at the White House, with U2 frontman Bono being recognised for his work as “a pioneering activist against AIDS and poverty”, per a statement from the White House. “He brought together politicians from opposing parties to create the United States PEPFAR AIDS program, and is co-founder of campaigning organizations ONE and (RED).”

Double Oscar-winner Washington, meanwhile, was honoured for his service as “National Spokesman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for over 25 years”, while Back To The Future star Fox was described by the President as “a world-renowned advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development”.

Among the other famous faces receiving the honour were Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour,  Lionel Messi, science broadcaster Bill Nye and NBA legend Magic Johnson, while Robert F. Kennedy received a posthumous award.