Honorary Michaels.

II Register

1. Sir Mick Jagger

   Conferred 1989

   For phonological proximity to the canonical hypocoristic, and for fifty years of conduct broadly consistent with the Institute's ethos of sustained excellence.

2. Maya Angelou

   Conferred 1995

   For her lifelong stewardship of the American letter; honorary status conferred posthumously and in perpetuity by unanimous vote of the Board.

3. Nelson Mandela

   Conferred 1996

   For sustained moral leadership in the public sphere; the only honoree to be granted honorary status by acclamation rather than ballot.

4. Quincy Jones

   Conferred 2003

   For lifelong collaboration with named members of the Institute and for sustained contribution to the recorded arts.

5. Sir David Attenborough

   Conferred 2008

   For demonstrating, across seven decades of continuous service to natural history, the conduct expected of a Michael in good standing.

6. Dolly Parton

   Conferred 2014

   For literacy advocacy and for embodying the kind of unsubtle decency the Institute considers exemplary.

7. Tom Hanks

   Conferred 2017

   Conferred over the objections of one Board member, who maintained that "an actual Michael was available." The vote was 8–1.

8. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter

   Conferred 2019

   For organizational rigor in the performing arts; the Institute notes with approval the structural ambition of her recorded work.

9. The late Anthony Bourdain

   Conferred 2018

   Conferred posthumously by special resolution of the Board, in recognition of sustained contributions to the cosmopolitan tradition.

10. Levar Burton

    Conferred 2021

    For decades of service to the literacy of the American child; one of three honorees retained on the original 1995 short list.