South African jurist and human rights advocate Navanethem "Navi" Pillay has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the award in Oslo, Norway, on October 9, recognizing her efforts to advance peace and international law.
The prize honors a career that spans the struggle against apartheid, international criminal justice, and senior leadership at the United Nations.
A Career in Human Rights and International Justice
Pillay served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014, according to Deutsche Welle and The Irish Times.
She has also served as a judge at the International Criminal Court and as president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
Born in Durban, South Africa, in 1941, Pillay grew up under apartheid.
Her legal career included defending anti-apartheid activists and challenging discriminatory prison conditions, according to Deutsche Welle.
Her work at the Rwanda tribunal contributed to landmark legal precedents recognizing rape as an act of genocide.
Her career has since extended to international human rights investigations and accountability mechanisms.
Pillay currently chairs the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, according to Showbiz411.
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said Pillay was recognized for her efforts to promote peace and international law, according to Showbiz411's coverage of the announcement.
The 2026 award carries prize money of 12 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to approximately €1 million, according to The Irish Times and Deutsche Welle.
The award is being presented during the 125th anniversary year of the Nobel Peace Prize.
The announcement followed the selection of laureates in medicine, physics, chemistry and literature earlier in the week.
Canadian poet, essayist and translator Anne Carson received the literature prize for work described by the Nobel announcement as "bold and inventive," according to The Irish Times.
The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences is scheduled to be announced on Monday, completing this year's series of Nobel Prize announcements, according to The Irish Times.
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for her work promoting democratic rights.
According to The Irish Times and Deutsche Welle, Machado later gave her medal to US President Donald Trump, but the Nobel Committee has clarified that the award itself cannot be transferred.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee received nominations for 287 candidates for the 2026 Peace Prize, including individuals and organizations, according to Deutsche Welle.
Eligible nominators include heads of state, national-level politicians, university professors, foreign policy institute directors, previous Nobel laureates and members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
