 Márquez has been the recipient of several prestigious awards and honors.He was awarded the National Prize for Arts and Sciences (Mexico) by President Felipe Calderón on December 14, 2009.In February 2006, he made history when he became the first musician to receive "La Medalla De Oro De Bellas Artes de Mexico" (Gold Medal of Fine Arts of Mexico), one of Mexico's most coveted award for career accomplishments in the fine arts.