Muhammad Ali’s Awards

Between his feats as an athlete and as a humanitarian, Muhammad Ali may be one of the most decorated individuals of all time.

Muhammad Ali in a suit receiving the Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush

"Oh, I'm so great!"

Muhammad Ali wasn’t the only one to declare his greatness. His unparalleled athletic feats and humanitarian deeds earned him accolades and honors around the world. Here’s just a partial list of the awards he received during his life:

1963 – Grammy Award nomination
1970 – Martin Luther King Jr National Holiday Lifetime Achievement Award
1973, 1974, 1978 – BBC Overseas Sports Personality World Sports Star
1974 – Sportsman of the Year – Sports Illustrated
1974 – AP Male Athlete of the Year
1975, 1976, 1979 – Milliyet Sports Award for World Athlete of the Year
1976 – Grammy Award nomination
1977 – NAMIC/NY Honors Ali Award
1978 – NAACP Award for Contributions to Race and Humanity from Atlanta Branch
1979 – Honorary Doctorate – Texas Southern
1985 – LA Marathon Gratitude Award
1986 – World Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Award
1986 – Ellis Island Medal of Honor
1987 – Boxing Hall of Fame
1988 – Hennessy Cognac Pinnacle of Excellence Award
1988 – Spirit of America Award
1989 – ION Pictures Award
1989 – Outstanding Example Award from Islamic Society of East Bay San Francisco
1990 – All Star Sports Award
1991 – Jim Thorpe ProSports Award
1991 – Academy of Victor Sports Award “Best in Boxing”
1992 – Freedom of Speech Memorial Award from American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
1992 – Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular Lifetime Achievement Award
1993 – National Sports Award
1994 – Annual Trumpet Awards
1994 – Center for the Study of Sports In Society Honors Award
1995 – Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Award
1995 – “Tribute to Excellence” Award from International Islamic Chamber of Commerce
1995 – Islamic Information Service Outreach Award
1995 – The Classic: The Black Coaches Association Award
1995 – Sports Image Award for Lifetime Achievement
1995 – Harold Washington Award
1995 – 16th Annual National Cable ACE Winner
1996 – Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation First Annual International Inspiration Award
1996 – Sales and Marketing Executives Award
1996 – Sports Channel KIDZWIN Person of the Year
1996 – Replacement Gold Medal
1996 – Arthur Ashe Award
1996 – Decade of the Brain Award
1997 – First International Friendship Award
1997 – National Urban League Humanitarian Award
1997 – Essence Living Legend Award
1997 – Ring Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Fight Ali v. Frazier
1997 – National Urban League Humanitarian Award
1998 – Haviva Reik Award
1998 – Coca-Cola Sports Personality of the Year Award
1998 – Council of Islamic Organization of Greater Chicago and the Ministry of Imam W.D. Mohammed Award
1998 – Muhammad Ali Community and Economic Development Corporation Award
1998 – Ellis Island American Legend Award
1998 – Phoenix Foundation Champion of Children Award
1998 – Die 1 Ersten Deutschlands Sportler Award
1998 – Legacy of Leadership Award
1998 – Amnesty International Media Spotlight Lifetime Achievement Award
1998 – Generous Support Given to Pembroke Pines Award
1998 – Child Advocacy Award
1998-2001 – Huesped Distinguido Award
1998 – UN Messenger of Peace
1999 – BBC Sports Personality of the Century
1999 – Brotherhood Crusades 25th Anniversary Honoree Award
1999 – Spirit of Leadership from Best Buddies International Award
1999 – Morehouse College Candle for Lifetime Achievement
1999 – The Greatest Award
1999 – BBC Sports Personality of the Century Award
1999 – Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Century Award
1999 – ESPN SportsCentury 50 Greatest Athletes Award
2000 – One America Award
2000 – National Consortium for Academics and Sports Award
2000 – TransAfrica Forum, Global Statesman Award
2000 – ALS Association Lou Gehrig Sports Award
2000 – MTV King of the Ring Award
2001 – Presidential Citizens Medal
2001 – The Beamonesque Lifetime Achievement Award
2001 – Service to America Leadership Award
2001 – United Cerebral Palsy Humanitarian Award
2002 – BET Humanitarian Award
2002 – Michigan Jewish Sports Book of Life Award
2002 – The National Basketball Wives Association “Touching A Life” Award
2002 – Phenomenal Athlete and the Greatest Heavyweight Champion of the World History Maker Award
2002 – Hannah Neil World of Children Award
2002 – “In Person For the Greatest Good” Award
2002 – Matthew T. Robinson Award of Courage
2002 – Washington DC Honors America’s Heroes of Freedom Award
2002 – UN Messenger of Peace Award
2003 – Bambi – Millennium Award
2003 – Bulldog Award
2003 – Pittsburgh Chapter of National Parkinson’s Foundation Award
2003 – Afghanistan World Foundation Freedom Award
2003 – National Angel in Adoption Award from Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
2003 – Golden Karma Award
2003 – Coca Cola Circle City Classic
2003 – National Constitution Center Award
2003 – ACLU Muhammad Ali Champion of Liberty Award
2004 – International Humanitarian and Civil Rights Award from Compton Community College
2005 – Presidential Medal of Freedom
2005 – Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Louis E. Martin Award
2005 – Bridge Builder of the Year
2006 – Double Helix Medal
2006 – Victor Awards
2006 – World Economic Forum C-100 Award
2006 – Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Double Helix Medal
2007 – Ashley Montagu Peace Award
2007 – Honorary Diploma from Princeton
2009 – NAACP Image Awards – President’s Award
2009 – Honorary Diploma from Muhlenberg College
2009 – Ralph Beard Humanitarian Award
2009 – Abraham Lincoln Society of the Kentucky Historical Society Award
2009 – Legacy of Firsts Legend Award from Butler Street YMCA
2010 – Gheens Institute for Innovation Award
2010 – MARCA Newspaper Best Sportsman Award
Amnesty International Lifetime Achievement Award
2012 – National Constitution Center Liberty Medal
2014 – Salute to Greatness Award
2014 – Ralph Metcalf Award for Health
2015 – WEB DuBois Medal
2015 – Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award
2015 – Grawemeyer Spirit Award
2015 – Happiness Award
2017 – Audie Award for Autobiography/Memoir
2017 – Islamic Medical Association of North America Lifetime Achievement Award
2017 – Veronica A. Nesbitt Humanitarian Award from Top Ladies of Distinction Inc.
2018 – Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Commission Danny Davis Lifetime Achievement Award

Other awards:

World’s Greatest Award
POW/MIA appreciation plaque
World’s Greatest Sporting Legend Award
Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award
Goodness Award
Louisvillian of the Century Award
Two Oceans Education Foundation Award
Trans World Sport Athlete of the Century
Footsteps to Freedom Award
KY Governor’s Distinguished Service Medal
Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year (6x)
Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Century
World Sports Awards World Sportsman of the Century
GQ Athlete of the Century
International Ambassador of Jubilee 2000
XNBA Human Spirit Award
Jimmy Carter – Mr. International Friendship

Ali's Many Talents

More than just a boxer, Muhammad Ali was also known as an artist. See some of his works and inspirations.

Shop the Museum

Muhammad Ali Center