Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has honoured philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of co-founder and former CEO of Apple Steve Jobs, with the inaugural Bhutan GNH Medal, a rare national honour.
“His Majesty The King conferred the inaugural Bhutan GNH Medal upon Laurene Powell Jobs, making her the first recipient of this prestigious honour,” said a social media post.
“This recognition celebrates her extraordinary contributions to the betterment of humanity. Her transformative work across diverse fields resonates deeply with Bhutan’s GNH values —sustainable development, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and good governance,” he said.
“The award reflects Bhutan’s growing commitment to celebrating and supporting individuals who have dedicated their lives to advancing the well-being of humanity and our shared planet.”
Laurene Powell Jobs has pioneered approaches to addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges.
Powell Jobs, the founder and president of Emerson Collective, is one of the wealthiest women in the world. Forbes estimates her net worth to be around $15.3 billion.
In 2011, she established Emerson Collective, creating an alliance of venture capital investing and philanthropic grant-making to accelerate solutions to complex problems.
Under her leadership, Emerson Collective has channeled investments into education, economic mobility, immigration reform, and environmental conservation.
In 2015, Laurene Powell Jobs launched XQ: The Super School Project, a $50 million initiative aimed at reimagining the American high school education.
In 2021, she created the Waverley Street Foundation, committing $3.5 billion over ten years to address the climate crisis. This substantial investment focuses on underserved communities most impacted by climate change, supporting sustainable food systems, and the transition to clean energy.
The foundation operates as a “spend-down fund” focused on environmental resiliency, mitigation, and adaptation.
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Laurene Powell Jobs exemplifies a new era of philanthropy and purpose-driven investing. Her work has created new pathways in education, supported climate solutions, and catalysed entrepreneurial approaches to systemic challenges.
In recognition of her significant impact, she was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023.
According to King Jigme Khesar’s Instagram, on her visit to Bhutan, Powell Jobs will also visit the Gelephu Mindfulness City.
