Navi Pillay, Peace Nobel Prize 2026: The Lawyer Wins the 'Trump Trophy'

Navi Pillay, 85 years old, was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts promoting peace and international law, including as chair of the UN inquiry on Gaza. She was the first woman to open a law firm in Natal in 1967, defending anti-apartheid activists and securing access to lawyers for Robben Island detainees, including Nelson Mandela. Appointed to South Africa's Supreme Court in 1995 by Mandela, she also served as a judge at the ICTR and ICC, notably contributing to the Akayesu trial. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded her the prize for her dedication to peace and international justice.