Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has posthumously awarded the Governor’s Medal of Freedom, one of the state’s highest honors, to five notable Floridians, including the late singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.
Buffett (1946–2023), famed for hits like Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise, was celebrated for his laid-back island-inspired music, lifestyle brand, and business ventures spanning restaurants, resorts, and merchandise. A bestselling author and environmental advocate, Buffett was especially committed to ocean conservation and protecting Florida’s state marine mammal, the manatee. Jimmy Buffett, who passed away at the age of 76 due to skin cancer, was a figure synonymous with the Florida Keys lifestyle.
The other honorees include former Democratic governor Buddy MacKay, known as a citrus farmer, diplomat, and policy expert; former governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, recognized for his hands-on approach to public service; former Florida State University President John Thrasher, who also served as Republican House speaker and state party chair; and former U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a South Florida Republican congressman noted for his advocacy for a free Cuba.
“I’m proud to recognize the legacies of these great Floridians,” DeSantis said in a written statement. “Our state is better for their contributions, and we’re proud they called Florida home.”
The five awardees “exemplified what it means to be a great Floridian” and left a lasting impact on their state, according to the governor’s office. Previous honorees include Hall of Fame football coach Bobby Bowden and Benjamin Ferencz, the last surviving prosecutor of Nazis at the Nuremberg war crimes trials.
