Actress Salma Hayek To Be Knighted

Actress Salma Hayek is receiving top honors and it's not the little golden statue known as Oscar; she is being Knighted by the French Government. This is the highest honor one can receive in the Legion of Honour. She won't be alone as her father-in-law is also receiving the award as well as about 800 others.

Ms. Hayek will receive the title Chevalier. Chevalier is a class of membership in the French order of merit. French President Nicolas Sarkozy nominated the recipients and a ceremony in their honor will be held in the next couple of months.

Hayek is a Mexican national and is married to French billionaire François-Henri Pinault whose father is also being Knighted at the same ceremony. The nomination of Hayek, who is being recognized as a producer, director and member of charitable organizations, has raised more than one eyebrow. Some believe the honors are being handed out frivolously.

The first awards were given in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte when he created the Legion. The president holds final word on the nominations and that has some believing the nominations are more politically lead than merit based. Nonetheless Hayek will receive the honor just as other big name Hollywood stars have before her. Included in that small group are Clint Eastwood, Robert Redford, Steven Spielberg and Liza Minnelli.