The Swedish Academy announced on Friday, October 10, 2025, that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 has been awarded to María Corina Machado. She is recognized for her unwavering commitment to championing democratic rights for Venezuelans and her persistent efforts to bring about a fair and peaceful shift from authoritarian rule to democracy.
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, the chair of The Norwegian Nobel Committee, formally made the announcement.
Last year, the Nobel Peace Prize honored the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots movement comprising atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, often referred to as Hibakusha.
The Nobel Prize announcement week began on Monday, October 6, with the award for Physiology or Medicine. This was followed by Physics on Tuesday, Chemistry on Wednesday, and Literature on Thursday. The winners of the Economic Sciences Prize are scheduled to be announced on October 13.
Each Nobel Prize includes a substantial cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor, which is roughly equivalent to ₹1.03 crore. All prizes will be officially presented on December 10.
The prestigious Nobel Prize was established by Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, who stipulated in his will that his vast estate should be used to fund awards for those who, in the preceding year, had brought the greatest benefit to humanity.
For the 2025 peace prize, the Norwegian Nobel Institute recorded a total of 338 candidates, comprising 244 individuals and 94 organizations. This number is higher than last year’s 286 nominees, which included 197 individuals and 89 organizations.
To be considered, nominations for the prize must be submitted to the committee by January 31. Committee members are also permitted to make nominations, but these must be presented by their initial meeting in February.
Following the initial nomination deadline, the committee typically convenes monthly. While decisions are usually finalized in August or September, the announcement can sometimes be delayed, as it was this year.
The Nobel committee frequently operates under significant pressure from individuals and their supporters who believe they are deserving of the coveted award.
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, the Nobel committee leader, remarked to a news agency, ‘All politicians aspire to win the Nobel Peace Prize.’
He added, ‘We hope the fundamental ideals of the Nobel Peace Prize are aspirations for all political leaders. We acknowledge the global attention, including from the United States, but our process remains consistent and unchanged.’
According to the Nobel Peace Prize committee, the laureate is chosen following thorough assessments and examinations of shortlisted candidates by the Nobel Committee’s permanent advisers and various Norwegian or international experts.
The Committee’s primary goal is to reach a consensus on the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. However, if consensus proves unattainable, the decision is then made through a simple majority vote.
The Enduring Vision of Alfred Nobel
The five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee bases its decisions on the 1895 will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel. His will established the peace prize, alongside awards for literature, chemistry, physics, and medicine.
Former US President Donald Trump has openly expressed his desire for a Nobel Peace Prize, an honor previously bestowed upon four of his predecessors: Barack Obama (2009), Jimmy Carter (2002), Woodrow Wilson (1919), and Theodore Roosevelt (1906). With the exception of Carter, these leaders received the award while still in office, including Obama, who was named laureate less than eight months into his presidency – a similar timeframe to Trump’s current situation.
Nina Graeger, who heads the Peace Research Institute Oslo, commented that Mr. Trump’s actions, such as withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization and the 2015 Paris climate accords, as well as his trade disputes with allies, ran counter to the original intent of Nobel’s will.
She explained, ‘Alfred Nobel’s will highlights three key areas: first, achievements related to peace, such as brokering peace deals; second, efforts to advance disarmament; and third, promoting international cooperation.’