Michelle Yeoh Honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom  

Oscar-award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh (楊紫瓊) adds another feather to her cap as she receives the Medal of Freedom – the nation’s highest civilian honor– from US President Joe Biden!

On May 3, Friday, the 61-year-old Malaysian-born actress was at the White House to receive the award, which is presented to “individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” This follows Michelle’s historic win for Best Actress at the 95th Academy Awards last year, a highlight of a career spanning four decades.

In his speech, Biden paid homage to the action star and highlighted how her roles “transcend gender, cultures, and languages”, adding how, as the first Asian to win an Oscar as Best Actress, she “bridges cultures to not only to entertain, but also inspire and open hearts”. Attending the ceremony in a formal black gown, Michelle was a picture of elegance, beaming with joy and pride when Biden personally decorated her with the medal.

Michelle joined the ranks of other famous personalities honored with the accolade including former president Bill Clinton, director Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Audrey Hepburn. This year’s line-up of nineteen recipients also include former president Al Gore, pioneering talkshow host Phil Donahue, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Olympian athlete Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky.

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