The Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush. The Order of Friendship from President Vladimir Putin. Fort Worth pianist Van Cliburn, who died Wednesday, played for every U.S. president from Truman to Obama and received honors from many of them. See him submit to decoration -- and make First Ladies laugh -- through decades of his influential career.
PHOTOS: Van Cliburn Charms The Presidents
1 of
Ruth David / National Endownment for the Arts
2 of
Van Cliburn Foundation
3 of
Van Cliburn Foundation
4 of
Van Cliburn Foundation
5 of
Van Cliburn Foundation
6 of
Van Cliburn Foundation