Each year, several anonymous people but also several personalities are decorated with the Legion of Honor. In 2023, 340 people have obtained the prestigious decoration. Among the celebrities is host Arthur, whose real name is Jacques Essebag, who was honored for his 35 years of service as a host.
“It is a huge honor. I will never forget what France did for me. From the outstretched hand in 1967 (her family had to leave Morocco in haste during the Six-Day War, editor’s note) to the doors she opened to me throughout my life. France changed my destiny. A France that taught me so much, gave me so much and to which I try to give back a little more every day.” he said on Instagram.
Astronaut Thomas Pesquet, but also former tennis champion Yannick Noah also received the famous prize this year. For her part, but also the former Miss France, Sylvie Tellier recently received the insignia of the National Order of Merit from the hands of Marlène Schiappa, a real honor since it is the second national order located just after the Legion of Honor. And if the pretty 45-year-old blonde was honored, it was to thank her for her work done, in particular through the Miss France competition or through her commitment to the association “Les Bonnes Fées” which helps the sick. cancer.
Unfortunately, this distinction has annoyed Internet users who have not hesitated to say so on social networks. “But what merit?”, “Great nonsense”, “In France we have doctors, engineers etc. men and women who make France shine around the world, but we prefer to decorate Sylvie Tellier MDR “, “And what merit ??? The caregivers are more deserving than her, it seems to me, pff, we give medals to anyone” could we read on Twitter.
Sophie Marceau refuses the Legion of Honor
And if most personalities gladly accept this kind of award, some dare to refuse. This is especially the case for S.ophie Marceau who, in 2016, literally refused to receive the Legion of Honor. On Twitter, the actress of the film “La Boum” had explained that she did not want to receive this prize which had also been given to the Minister of the Interior of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Ben Nayef, on March 4, 2016.
Explaining that she did not want to be associated with this kind of personality, the actress then shared an article from the newspaper “Le Monde” in which one could read: “Legion of honor for the Saudi crown prince. 154 executions last year in his country”. And Sophie Marceau to retort: ”This is why I refused the Legion of Honor”. Furious, the actress had continued by strongly criticizing this handing over of the legion “as a foreign personality” to a man who multiplies human rights violations and by recalling that Saudi Arabia is the “third largest executor in the world behind China and Iran”. What is worth to the actress to be strongly supported and complimented for her courage, on the social networks.
ES