President Emmanuel Macron bestowed billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos the Legion d’Honneur (Legion of Honour), the French republic’s highest award. While the billionaire left with the country’s highest order of merit, Macron has come under fire for the same. The inconspicuous ceremony occurred at the Elysée Palace while hundreds of thousands of workers protested across France over changes to pensions. Critics are leaving no chance to dub Macron “the president of the rich,” reiterating the censure by opposition members. LFI member, Leila Chaibi, said that “while we were marching against his pension reform, Macron awarded you a decoration in France’s name for avoiding billions in tax, destroying the planet, and spying on staff. A well-earned prize from the president of the rich”.
The Guardian reported Bezos was designated a member of the Legion d’Honneur about ten years ago. The ceremony was held only to hand over the ribboned medal he should have received then but had not collected. Bezos, the world’s third-richest man worth $119 billion, didnt comment on the hostility he received as a bonus to the Legion d’Honneur. His girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez, didnt let the opportunity to shower some love and support pass by. She posted on Instagram, ‘The most magical day celebrating you surrounded by friends and family. #Legionofhonor.’ notable foreign recipients of the Legion of Honor.
Image – Twitter / @AnjaLabu
It is not just the Amazon founder who has been bestowed with this honor. In 2017, the then French President Francois Hollande awarded Bill Gates and his wife Melinda the Légion d’Honneur for their charity efforts
The National Order of the Legion of Honour-
The highest French order of merit, both military and civil, was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. It was the wish of Napoleon Bonaparte, the First Consul, to create a reward to commend civilians and soldiers. The Légion d’honneur was open to men of all ranks and professions judged on merit or bravery. For foreign nationals, the honor is bestowed upon those who have served France or the ideals it upholds. From the United States of America, over 10,000 Americans have been so honored, which includes jazz musician Miles Davis, Walt Disney, Bob Dylan, Steven Speilberg, and many more.
