Youngest Nobel Prize winner?
VerifiedAnswer: Malala Yousafzai
Explanation:
Malala Yousafzai made history on October 10, 2014, when she became the youngest person ever to receive a Nobel Prize. At just 17 years old, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Indian children's rights activist Kailash Satyarthi for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.
Born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan, Malala's journey to becoming a global icon began when she was just 11 years old. She started writing a blog for the BBC Urdu service under a pseudonym, documenting her life under Taliban rule and advocating for girls' education in the Swat Valley. Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, who ran a chain of schools, greatly influenced her passion for education and women's rights.
The turning point in Malala's life came on October 9, 2012, when she was just 15 years old. While returning home from school on a bus, Taliban gunmen boarded the vehicle and shot her in the head for her activism. The attack was a deliberate attempt to silence her voice and intimidate other girls from seeking education. However, this tragic incident only amplified her message and brought global attention to her cause.
After the attack, Malala was airlifted to Birmingham, England, for emergency treatment. Her remarkable recovery and unwavering determination to continue her fight for education rights inspired millions worldwide. She used her experience to become an even stronger advocate for children's education, particularly for girls in developing countries.
When Malala received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, she broke the previous record held by Lawrence Bragg, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1915 at age 25. Her achievement was particularly significant as she was still a teenager attending school in Birmingham while simultaneously campaigning for global education rights.
Since winning the Nobel Prize, Malala has continued her education and activism. She graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics in 2020. Through the Malala Fund, which she co-founded with her father, she continues to advocate for 12 years of free, safe, and quality education for every girl around the world.
Malala's story serves as a powerful reminder that age is no barrier to making a significant impact on the world. Her courage, resilience, and dedication to education rights have made her a symbol of hope for millions of children, especially girls, who are denied access to education. Her recognition as the youngest Nobel Prize winner highlights the importance of youth voices in addressing global challenges and creating positive change.
