Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering fight to restore democracy through peaceful means. Her courage and commitment to non-violence have made her a powerful symbol of hope in a nation struggling under authoritarian rule. Scroll down to read – Who is María Corina Machado and why did she win the Nobel Prize?
.jpg)
Who is María Corina Machado? Why did she get the Nobel Peace Prize?
María Corina Machado is a Venezuelan opposition leader who has long fought for democracy and human rights in her country. She was barred from running in Venezuela’s 2024 presidential elections, which were widely condemned as unfair. Despite facing threats and persecution, she became a powerful unifying figure for the opposition, rallying huge crowds and promoting a peaceful path toward democracy.
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Machado for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela” and her struggle to achieve a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised her as “one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America”.
Even while in hiding since August 2024 due to threats against her life, Machado has continued to inspire millions of Venezuelans. The committee said she has “brought the country’s opposition together” and “shown that the tools of democracy are also tools for peace.” Her steadfast commitment to non-violence, unity, and democratic values made her a symbol of hope in a time when authoritarianism is rising globally.
Early Life and Career: María Corina Machado was born in Caracas in 1967, trained as an industrial engineer, and studied finance. She could have pursued a quiet private-sector career but chose activism instead.
Achievements: In 1992, she founded the Atenea Foundation to help street children in Caracas. In 2002, she co-founded Súmate, advocating for free and fair elections in Venezuela. Elected to the National Assembly in 2010 with a record-breaking vote count. Expelled from office in 2014 for challenging the regime. Founded Vente Venezuela, an opposition party. Launched the Soy Venezuela alliance in 2017 to unite pro-democracy forces.
What does the Nobel Peace Prize include besides the recognition?
The Nobel Peace Prize comes with three main components: a diploma, a gold medal, and a cash award of $1.2 million. These honors recognize the laureate’s extraordinary contributions to peace and humanitarian efforts.
Who were the contenders for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize?
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize had a wide range of nominations, with 338 individuals and organizations under consideration. However, the Nobel Committee keeps all nomination details secret for 50 years, so the full list of contenders is not publicly available. Only the official laureate, in this case María Corina Machado, is announced.
Is Maria Corina the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize?
No, María Corina Machado is not the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Many women have received the award before her – the first being Bertha von Suttner in 1905, an Austrian peace activist whose book Lay Down Your Arms inspired the peace movement in Europe. Other notable women laureates include:
Mother Teresa (1979) – for her humanitarian work.
Aung San Suu Kyi (1991) – for her non-violent struggle for democracy in Myanmar.
Malala Yousafzai (2014) – for advocating girls’ education.
Narges Mohammadi (2023) – for fighting for women’s rights in Iran.
So, while Machado is not the first woman, she is among a select group of female Nobel Peace Prize winners recognized for their courage and commitment to democracy and human rights.