Venezuela’s opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, has won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her strong efforts to promote democracy and stand up against dictatorship in her country.

The announcement was made on Friday, as the world waited to see who would be honoured with one of the most prestigious global awards.

According to the official Nobel Peace Prize website, the 2025 laureate will receive 11 million Swedish kronor (SEK) as prize money.

The Nobel Prizes, first awarded in 1901, were created to recognise individuals and organisations whose work has brought “the greatest benefit to humankind.” They are presented in six categories — Peace, Literature, Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economic Sciences.

The legacy of Alfred Nobel

The awards were established through the will of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish chemist and inventor who signed his will on 27 November 1895, a year before his death.

He left most of his fortune, over SEK 31 million (now valued at around SEK 2.2 billion) to a fund. The income from this fund was to be used every year to honour those whose contributions have made a real difference to humanity.

This year, there were 338 nominations, including 244 individuals and 94 organisations, highlighting the global importance of the honour.

In addition to the cash award, Nobel laureates also receive a medal and a diploma.

The Peace Prize Medal was designed through a collaboration between Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland and Swedish engraver Erik Lindberg and was first used in 1902.

Originally made of 23-carat gold and weighing 192 grams, the medal was later changed to 18-carat gold in 1980 and now weighs 196 grams. It maintains a diameter of 6.6 cm.

The front side features Alfred Nobel’s portrait, along with his name and life years. The reverse side depicts three naked men embracing, symbolising global brotherhood — along with the Latin inscription “Pro pace et fraternitate gentium” (meaning For peace and fraternity among peoples). The medal’s edge bears the engraving Prix Nobel de la Paix, the year, and the laureate’s name.