Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey to be bestowed with U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Bill Clinton and journalist Oprah Winfrey will be awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, nation's highest civilian honor, this year for their contributions to society.

White House had announced on Thursday that President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Freedom to 16 recipients, including musicians, scientists, activists and even an astronaut, the Fox News reports.

President John F. Kennedy had created the modern version of the medal 50 years ago as the highest honor that U.S. bestows on civilians.

More than 500 people have been recognized for 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 in the past five decades.

The President decides on the list of medal recipients after reviewing the recommendations of an advisory board on individuals who have contributed to America's cultural, security and other public interests, the report added.

The other recipients of the prestigious award includes Daniel Inouye, Ben Bradlee, Sally Ride, Richard Lugar, Gloria Steinem, Ernie Banks, Bayard Rustin, Daniel Kahneman, Loretta Lynn, Maria Molina, Arturo Sandoval, Dean Smith, Patricia Wald, and C.T. Vivian.