Felicitations to International Malaysian star Tan Sri Dato’ Michelle Yeoh who will be awarded the Commander of the Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur (Commander of the Legion of Honour) later today. In a private ceremony held at the Residence de France in Kuala Lumpur, French President François Hollande himself will award the actress.
The Commandeur de la Légion d’Honneur is the highest civilian award that a non-French can receive from the French government. It is a part of the National Order of the Legion of Honour that was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, and divided into five ranks: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officier), and Grand Croix (Grand Cross). The ranks are only gifted to people who have contributed invaluable services to humanitarian efforts in France or causes that are supported by France.
Yeoh first earned the Chevalier title in 2007. Then in 2012, Yeoh was awarded the title of Officer of the Legion of Honour by then-French President, Nicolas Sarkozy. Later in February 2016, in recognition for her contribution to the arts, she received the Officier des Arts et des Lettres award.
Tan Sri Dato’ Michelle Yeoh is not only known for her philanthropy, last year she was appointed United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador to raise awareness for Sustainable Development Goals – an effort by UNDP to eradicate poverty by 2030.
Other prominent Malaysians who have been awarded the Commander title are the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin when he was the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and AirAsia Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes.
Photos from Google.
