http://www.cadenaser.com/sociedad/articulo/creador-mario-bros-principe-asturias-comunicacion-humanidades-2012/csrcsrpor/20120523csrcsrsoc_2/Tes(in Spanish)

"The soul of Nintendo and creator of the famous Mario Bros. video game series, Japan's Shigeru Miyamoto, has been awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities 2012".

This price is awarded to to the person(s) or institution(s) whose work or research represents a significant contribution to universal culture in these areas.

Other people and institutions that were awarded with this prize include the Royal Society (2011), Google (2008), National Geographic Society (2006). Full list

Yes, I think Miyamoto fits in that category quite well.

Congrats Shigeru Miyamoto!

I'm not sure if people outside of Spain know about this award.

While it may not be not very known, I thinks it's a respected award even outside on Spain.

And it's known enough to be news in Gamesindustry so wfc could make another thread about it.