Sir Elton John received the National Medal of Humanities from President Joe Biden for his charitable work to end AIDS.
The 75-year-old pop icon established the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1982 and after performing hits such as ‘Rocketman’ and ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ on A Night When Hope and History Rhyme at the White House, he was surprised with the honor by the Democratic leader and his wife First Lady Jill Biden.
Accepting the award, Elton said: “Ever since I founded the Foundation at my kitchen table in Atlanta 30 years ago, I have been committed to leaving no one behind and I will continue that mission. We aspire to a future where people of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations and gender identities have the opportunity to live free from AIDS, stigma, injustice and abuse – and I am so grateful that recognition like this brings us a little closer to making this a reality.”
The ‘Candle in the Wind’ singer is married to filmmaker David Furnish, 59, – who is chairman of the foundation – and has sons Zach, 11, and Elijah, nine, with him and he paid tribute to Elton as someone who “really steps up” when it comes to fighting to eradicate the immunodeficiency virus.
David said: “It’s up to us to make the world a better and more equal place, and Elton is someone who really walks the talk. He is so deserving of the National Humanities Medal for his constant advocacy for the equality throughout his career and through the Elton John Aids Foundation We are so grateful to the History Channel, A+E Networks and the Biden administration for providing us with such an impactful platform to help us meet the urgent needs of people at risk of and living with HIV and AIDS.”
