Oprah Winfrey must be the happiest person today and this day could be deemed the most unforgettable day of her life. You may ask why? The talented host has been presented with Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, by none other than President Barack Obama on Wednesday.

Calling the 59-year-old "the pinnacle of the entertainment universe," President Barack Obama graced Winfrey's neck with the medal along with former President Bill Clinton, country star Loretta Lynn, women's rights activist Gloria Steinem, baseball legend Ernie Banks and astronaut Sally Ride. It must be a real honour for Oprah to receive the award along with such prestigious people.

"These are the men and women who in their extraordinary lives remind us of the beauty of the human spirit," Obama said at the East Room of the White House on Wednesday, November 20.

"In more than 4,500 episodes of her show, her message was always, 'You can,'" President Obama said of Oprah. Winfrey, dressed in black formal dress looked elated and touched emotionally when President Obama placed the medal around her neck.

"Oprah Winfrey's innate gift for tapping into our most fervent hopes and deepest fears drew millions of viewers across every background, making her show the highest rated talk show in television history. Oprah Winfrey has used her influence to support underserved communities and to lift up the lives of young people especially young women," the transcript of the Award read.

President Obama has been a huge fan of Oprah's work and has accepted it publically at numerous occasions.

"You know, I did see The Butler, and I did tear up," President Obama admitted in August during a radio interview.

The President was also all praises for Bill Clinton who received the award for his public service in office and also as the founder of the Clinton Foundation.

"He remembered what his mom had to do on behalf of him and he wanted to make sure he made life better and easier for so many people across the country," Obama said of Clinton. Congratulations to all the winners.
Obama décore Bill Clinton et Oprah Winfrey

Source

:youtube.com/AFP