Stevie Wonder given top French culture medal

US singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder on Saturday received the Commander of Arts and Letters award from French Culture Minister Frédéric Mitterrand. He dedicated the honour to his mother who died in 2006.

Stevie Wonder Antonio Cruz/ABr

“I receive this honour in memory of my mother and in memory of all of those that have made it possible for me to stand here today," said an emotional Wonder. "As I was... listening to what you were saying, I had a flash in my memory, the memory of 1964, when I came to Paris, France, for the first time. I came with my mother."

Former Culture Minister Jack Lang, who first named the 59-year-old soul giant for the medal, was present.

South African writer Nadine Gordimer, British actor Roger Moore and Lebanese singer Fairuz are among earlier artists to receive the top cultural award.

"As citizen, administrator and culture minister I just called to say we love you," Mitterrand told Wonder, mixing French and English and referring to one of Wonder's biggest hits.

Wonder has a history of political involvement, fighting apartheid in South Africa for the US’s Martin Luther King day, which was signed into law in 1983 to honour the murdered civil rights leader.

During the ceremony, he made a pitch for Obama's push to extend health coverage to millions of uninsured Americans.

“I'm very encouraged you have it here, in this country," he said, referring to France's near-universal coverage. "Don't change."

Wonder is expected to receive a lifetime achievement award at a French ceremony Saturday night.