Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck honored Laurene Powell Jobs with the inaugural Bhutan GNH Medal, a rare national honor. At the ceremony yesterday, Queen Jetsun Pema joined her husband in celebrating Powell Jobs.

“His Majesty The King conferred the inaugural Bhutan GNH Medal upon Ms. Laurene Powell Jobs, making her the first recipient of this prestigious honour,” his official social media notes. “This recognition celebrates her extraordinary contributions to the betterment of humanity. Her transformative work across diverse fields resonates deeply with Bhutan’s GNH values —sustainable development, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and good governance. The award reflects Bhutan’s growing commitment to celebrating and supporting individuals who have dedicated their lives to advancing the well-being of humanity and our shared planet.”

The post detailed her philanthropic achievements, writing how she “exemplifies a new era of philanthropy and purpose-driven investing. Her work has created new pathways in education, supported climate solutions, and catalysed entrepreneurial approaches to systemic challenges.”

Powell Jobs poses for a photo wearing the medal after the ceremony.

Powell Jobs, the founder and president of Emerson Collective, is one of the wealthiest women in the world. Forbes estimates her net worth to be around $15.3 billion. Before traveling to Bhutan this month, she was in India, where she visited spiritual guru Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji’s ashram and other locations to learn more about Hinudism. “She has a new name here, Kamala…she was inspired by the timeless sanatani culture,” Mahant Ravindra Puri, chief of Panchayati Akhada Shri Niranjani, one of the organizations of Hindu saints and ascetics, told The Hindu. “Her quest for spirituality brought her here.”

According to King Jigme Khesar’s Instagram, on her visit to Bhutan, Powell Jobs will also visit the Gelephu Mindfulness City.

Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and a wide range of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.