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South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, aged 85, was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on 9 October 2026 for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognised her work in holding states and national leaders accountable and bringing hope to victims of violence and conflict.
About Navi Pillay
Navi Pillay was born in Durban, South Africa, into a family of Indian Tamil origin during the apartheid era. She became a lawyer and a legal pioneer who challenged structural discrimination, segregation and exclusion under apartheid.
Her career includes defending Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists, as well as serving as a judge in major international legal cases. Her work has focused on human rights, accountability, international justice and the protection of victims of violence and conflict.
Pillay also chaired the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which concluded in a report that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Israel rejected the report, describing it as “scandalous”.
About the Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the original Nobel Prizes established under the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel in 1895. The 2026 award carries a monetary prize of 12 million Swedish kronor, approximately US$1.2 million. The award ceremony is scheduled for 10 December 2026 in Oslo, Norway, marking the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
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