France honors Olivia de Havilland

Some wonderful news to share today! The blogs Anatomy of a Classic and Laura's Miscellaneous Musings reported that Olivia has been awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honor by French President Nicholas Sarkozy at a ceremony at the presidential palace in Paris.

The Order is the highest decoration in France.

According to the Associated Press, President Sarkozy told Olivia that "you honor France for having chosen us." To live, of course - Olivia has lived in Paris since the 1950s.

Laura shared a link to some wonderful pictures from the event, courtesy of NPR News. Read the AP story by Silvie Corbett as published on the Seattle Times Online.

Thanks to all for sharing this wonderful news. Congratulations Olivia!

Olivia honored at the White House, November 2008

In November of 2008, Olivia traveled to Washington DC to recieve the National Medal of Arts, for her lifetime achievements and contributions to American culture as an actress.


Photo by James Kegley for the National Endowment for the Arts
Watch the clip of Olivia getting her medal here:



Read the Press Release from the National Endowment for the Arts

The 2008 National Medal of Arts was awarded to Olivia de Havilland and presented by President Bush on November 17, 2008 in an East Room ceremony. de Havilland was honored "for her persuasive and compelling skill as an actress in roles from Shakespeare's Hermia to Margaret Mitchell's Melanie. Her independence, integrity, and grace won creative freedom for herself and her fellow film actors." The National Medal of Arts is a presidential initiative managed by the National Endowment for the Arts.

UPI Photos:



Above: President George Bush greets actress Olivia De Havilland prior to presenting her with the 2008 National Medals of Arts during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on November 17, 2008. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch)

Below: Olivia with her medal



LIFE Photos (Mark Wilson, photographer):