France Awards Fred Ryan the Legion of Honor
By • September 21, 2026 0 221
The Republic of France awarded the Legion of Honor to Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., former publisher of the Washington Post and of Politico, and now, chairman of the the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute on Sept. 16.
In an intimate gathering at the French Ambassador’s residence on Kalorama Road, Ambassador Laurent Bili presented the medal to Ryan as family and friends looked in admiration.
A grateful Ryan told the gathering: “I feel very fortunate today to be joined by colleagues and friends from so many chapters of my life—from the White House to Politico and the Washington Post, and from the National Geographic Society, the White House Historical Association and, of course, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.
“And here today is the most important institution of all to me: my family. Genny, Genevieve, Caroline, Madeline and her husband, Jack—thank you.
“France has been an important part of my life, beginning with my first visit as a nine-year-old student, and on multiple business, diplomatic and personal trips back over the years.
“It was the venue of my honeymoon, which Genny and I spent at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Paris.”
Ryan called his collaborations with French counterparts for Reagan’s 40th anniversary of D-Day speech and the centennial of the Statue of Library and added one more memory: “I’ll never forget another evening here when Catherine Deneuve—the modern face of France—was the guest of honor at a small dinner in the Ambassador’s dining room.
“I’m still not sure why I was invited. But I had the good sense not to ask.”
As it is America’s special birthday year, Ryan noted, “This year, as we celebrate America’s 250th, it is especially appropriate to remember the extraordinary debt we owe France, who was there for us from the very beginnings of our country.
“As America’s colonial ragtag army fought for independence, it was joined by one of the great world powers. Without French financial resources, weapons, troops, ships and diplomatic support, American independence might not have been won when it was.”
Ryan continued to underscore U.S.-France connections, whether Marquis de Lafayette or fighting terrorism— and, of course, a personal favorite, wine. He even wrote a book about it.
In the back patio of the French ambassador’s residence, Genny Ryan, Caroline Ryan, Fred Ryan, Madeline Ryan and Genevieve Ryan Bellaire. Photo by Tony Powell.
