Ralph Lauren will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.
The award — the nation’s highest civilian honor — recognizes Lauren’s extraordinary contributions as a visionary fashion designer, trailblazing entrepreneur, innovative business leader, and dedicated philanthropist.
Lauren is the first fashion designer to receive this distinction — a historic acknowledgment of his transformative influence on American culture and society.
Established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy, the Presidential Medal of Freedom honors individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the U.S., world peace, or other significant endeavors. Over the years, the medal has been awarded to a diverse range of influential figures across disciplines, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Ronald Reagan, Maya Angelou, Mother Teresa, Bill and Melinda Gates, Robert DeNiro, and Frank Gehry, and more recently, Billie Jean King, Michelle Yeoh, Michael Bloomberg, and Simone Biles.
In addition to Lauren, the other 18 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom are José Andrés, Bono, Ashton Baldwin Carter, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Michael J. Fox, Tim Gill, Jane Goodall, Fannie Lou Hamer (posthumous), Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Robert Francis Kennedy (posthumous), Lionel Messi, William Sanford Nye, George W. Romney (posthumous), David M. Rubenstein, George Soros, George Stevens Jr., Denzel Washington, and Anna Wintour.
According to a White House release, President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else. He believes these 19 individuals are great leaders who have made America a better place and have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.
For more than 60 years, Lauren has celebrated the essence of American culture, crafting an enduring vision that defines American style. Through his collections, Lauren has shaped the way the world perceives the country’s heritage and values. His collections have often been described as storytelling through design, with each piece evoking themes of aspiration, tradition, and individuality.
Translating his artistic vision into a global lifestyle brand, the 85-year-old Lauren has been recognized as one of the world’s most innovative leaders in design and business.
Lauren’s journey began in the Bronx, N.Y., where he grew up and learned the power of hard work, aspiration and authenticity. He began by designing men’s ties from a single drawer in the Empire State Building and went on to build one of the most iconic global lifestyle brands in history, generating revenues for fiscal 2024 of $6.6 billion. The designer draws inspiration from the country’s landscapes, cultures, and artistry. Through his men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, home collections, cinematic advertising, and renowned stores and restaurants, Lauren has become an arbiter of timeless American style. His story is a testament to the possibilities of creativity, determination, and the American Dream.
Throughout his career, Lauren has won numerous prestigious honors such as the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal, which recognizes his lifetime contributions as a great American and his leadership in preserving the Star-Spangled Banner; France’s Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in recognition of his influence as a designer, business leader, and philanthropist, and an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE), making him the first American designer to receive this distinction.
Lauren has also received numerous honors from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, such as Menswear and Womenswear Designer of the Year, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the American Fashion Legend Award, among others.
In addition to his contributions to fashion and culture, Lauren continues to make a profound impact on philanthropy, with a particular focus on the fight against cancer. His mission to reduce disparities in cancer care has positively impacted countless lives. The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation continues to champion equity and empower underserved communities worldwide.
