Elton John Awarded the Legion of Honor by Emmanuel Macron

Elton John was recently in France where he was awarded the Legion of Honor by French President Emmanuel Macron, who praised the singer's work in the battle against AIDS.

The singer received the top French civilian award during a private ceremony held on Friday, June 21, at Élysée Palace in Paris, which was also attended by his husband, David Furnish.

After the ceremony, the 72-year-old had the opportunity to address a crowd at the annual Fete de La Musique, also known as Music Day, in which citizens are encouraged to play music in their neighborhoods and other public spaces.

ELTON JOHN'S TWO PASSIONS

The "Rocketman" singer told those in attendance that music and the fight against AIDS had a special place in his heart and shared some similarities.

He said:

"Like music, the fight against AIDS has been my passion for many many years. And like music this fight reminds me every day of the extraordinary power of the human spirit. "

According to John, the "things that bind us are stronger than those that divide us" and that he would carry that magical human spirit with him as a proud member of the Legion of Honor.

A PIONEER AND A LEADER

Macron praised the famous singer for being one of the first gay artists to elevate the LGBTQ community, a true "melodic genius" who always knew how to set an example.

After complimenting the 72-year-old, the French President asked World Leaders around the globe to donate to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

The "Rocketman" singer told those in attendance that music and the fight against AIDS had a special place in his heart

STILL A VERY SCARY SCENARIO IN 2019

Even to this day, AIDS is still one of the biggest concerns at a worldwide scale, with 1 in 7 people being unaware of their infection, according to HIV.gov.

The disease has already claimed millions of lives throughout the years, including Freddie Mercury's, whose last days were reportedly spent in incredible pain.