Tv mogul and actress Oprah Winfrey has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom award from U.S. leader Barack Obama.

The accolade was established by former U.S. president John F. Kennedy 50 years ago to honour "individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors".

President Obama praised the media titan for promoting the message of "you can" and pulling herself out of poverty to rise to the top of the entertainment industry.

Winfrey was feted alongside country singer Loretta Lynn, jazz musician Arturo Sandoval and former U.S. President Bill Clinton at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday (20Nov13).