Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been awarded Germany's highest national honor, a feat that was only awarded to two other former leaders before her.
Merkel, who led the country for more than 16 years, becoming one of the longest-serving chancellors, was awarded the Grand Cross, the highest order of Merit. The German Minister of Special Achievements and Merkel's former Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, presented the proclamation to Merkel. Steinmeier praised Merkel as an "unprecedented politician" who successfully led Germany through difficult times, including the 2008 financial crisis and the 2015 refugee crisis.
