Bono Among 19 Honorees to Receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025
President Joe Biden has announced that Bono, along with 18 other prominent individuals, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, regarded as the highest civilian honor in the United States. The awards will be presented at the White House on January 4, 2025.
A Star-Studded List of Honorees
Aside from U2's iconic frontman, other honorees this year include several influential individuals like:
- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
- Basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson
- Soccer superstar Lionel Messi
- TV personality Bill Nye the Science Guy
- Vogue editor Anna Wintour
- Philanthropist George Soros
- Renowned designer Ralph Lauren
- Celebrated chef José Andrés
- Conservationist Jane Goodall
The White House underlined that the honorees left indelible marks on society. "President Biden believes great leaders have values of fairness, faith, and decency. These 19 individuals have made America and the world a better place but also showed extraordinary contributions to humanity," the official statement said.
Outstanding Achievements Recognized
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is given to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural, or other significant public or private endeavors.
Selection Bono recognizes nearly three-decades-long activism for humanitarian issues: Bono "led a pioneering campaign against AIDS and poverty", having mobilized the political leadership across parties, starting the PEPFAR AIDs of U.S. His other philanthropic works included establishing two high-profile advocacy organizations: the ONE and RED groups, each directed respectively on fighting the widespread global poverty, and major deadly disease outbreaks globally.
A Momentous Year for Bono and U2
The announcement comes amid cause for celebration on Bono's behalf, and the group's, U2, as merely several weeks have gone by since How to Re-assemble an Atomic Bomb was issued: a peculiar 20th-anniversary reissue of one of their popular releases, the album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb launched in 2004, including some songs like Fast Cars, Evidence of Life and Luckiest Man In The World that nobody had ever listened to from the time of recording.
This past September, U2 also premiered V-U2: An Immersive Concert Film at Sphere Las Vegas, a film of their history-making residency at the pioneering venue. The January 4 ceremony will also recognize Bono's lifetime commitment to creating and performing music and his tireless advocacy in service of causes around the world—recognizing him as a leader who inspires change both on and off the stage.
