Among Saturday's 19 recipients are the former Foreign Minister Hillary Clinton and philanthropist George Soros - but also football player Lionel Messi and U2 singer Bono.
In addition, among others, actors Michael J Fox and Denzel Washington, basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, and Vogue editor Anna Wintour are awarded.
Robert Francis Kennedy, better known as Bobby Kennedy, also receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Kennedy was Minister of Justice 1961-64 and was murdered during the presidential election campaign in 1968.
He is posthumously awarded for "continuing to inspire those who fight for justice, equality, and the common good", according to Joe Biden.
All 19 recipients of the USA's highest civilian honor are, according to the White House, "great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world".
