Joe Biden to award Ralph Lauren Presidential Medal of Freedom
Ralph Lauren is making history as the first fashion designer ever to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The style icon, 85, will be presented with the award — the nation’s highest civilian honor — by President Biden, 82, in Washington, DC this afternoon.
The NYC native was chosen by Biden for his “extraordinary contributions as a visionary designer, trailblazing entrepreneur, innovative business leader, and dedicated philanthropist.”
“His story is a profound testament to the boundless possibilities of creativity, determination and the American Dream,” a rep for the Ralph Lauren Corporation said in a statement.
Lauren’s clothes have long been loved and worn by President Biden and First Lady Jill, 73, who notably attended the designer’s Spring 2025 New York Fashion Week show in The Hamptons last September.
Biden has doled out 37 Medals of Freedom since taking office, with Simone Biles, Megan Rapinoe, Nancy Pelosi and Denzel Washington among the others awarded the honor.
Lauren’s wife of 60 years, Ricky, and their three children, Andrew, David and Dylan are all expected to attend the ceremony.
Lauren, born Ralph Lipschitz, grew up in The Bronx before launching an eponymous line of ties in the mid-1960s.
From there, the visionary designer began creating clothing for both men and women, transforming the way America dressed.
Signature garments such as the Polo shirt and Ralph Lauren bear sweater have become staples of the American wardrobe.
The designer has also dressed some of the country’s most powerful people, including politicians, princesses, celebrities, and even the US Olympic team.
But Lauren has been selling more than just clothes. By combining East Coast prep with the cowboy cool of the West, he’s also been selling an aspirational idea of America itself.
“I don’t design clothes, I design dreams,” the avowed movie lover once declared.
“Through his cinematic advertising, and the intricate beauty of his stores and restaurants, Lauren has redefined American style,” the rep for the Ralph Lauren Corporation stated.
Over the decades, the Ralph Lauren brand has expanded beyond apparel, selling accessories, fragrances and home decor – making the designer one of the wealthiest men in the biz.
Lauren has amassed a personal net worth of $10.8 billion, according to Forbes, while the Ralph Lauren Corporation brought in $6.63 billion in revenue last year.
Lauren has become a prominent philanthropist, with his Ralph Lauren Corporation Foundation donating tens of millions of dollars to various causes since its establishment in 2001.
Among the issues close to Lauren’s heart: cancer care and prevention and environmental advocacy.
