Olivia de Havilland in Paris, France on Thursday September 9, 2010 where she was awarded the Legion of Honor from French President Nicolas Sarkozy! 

Olivia de Havilland was honored in Paris at the Elysee Palace on Thursday, September 9, 2010 by receiving the Legion of Honor from French President, Nicolas Sarkozy!!!   The President reportedly told Olivia, "you honor France for having chosen us."  Olivia, who is of British origin, was born in Japan in 1916 and moved to the United States as a child,  has made Paris her home since 1953.  Throughout her life she has served as a cultural ambassador of France to the world! 

On awarding Olivia, Sarkozy praised Olivia for her courage to pursue her lawsuit against her employer, Warner Brothers. Her landmark court victory forced film studios to revise how they enforced contracts on their actors and her victory ultimately led to actors having more freedom!   " 'You are a rebel because you are the only one who dared file a suit against the studios to defend the liberty of actors,' Sarkozy said. 'You won. It's exceptional.' "

 

Japan born British actress Olivia de Havilland, left, with British born actress Jacqueline Bisset, after being awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honor by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, Sept. 9 2010 in Paris. - Associated Press

 

French President Nicolas sarkozy, left, with Japan born, British actress Olivia de Havilland, after she was awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honor, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 9 2010 in Paris.
-Associated Press

 

Japan born British actress Olivia de Havilland, after being awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honor by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, Sept. 9 2010 in Paris.
- Associated Press

 

French President Nicolas Sarkozy , left, with Japan born British actress Olivia de Havilland, centre with British born actress Jacqueline Bisset, after awarded them with the Knight of the Legion of Honor, at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, Sept. 9 2010 in Paris.
- Associated Press

 

Japan born British actress Olivia de Havilland, after being awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honor by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, Sept. 9 2010 in Paris.
-Associated Press

This story was originally published by the associated press and can be found with original photos here