Nobel Peace Prize Winners: A Complete List (1901-2024)

Oct 30, 2025 by Team 55 views

Hey guys! Ever wondered who's snagged the Nobel Peace Prize over the years? Well, buckle up, because we're diving deep into the complete list of winners from 1901 all the way to 2024. This prestigious award recognizes individuals and organizations that have done some seriously amazing work for peace. Let's explore the stories of those who've championed peace, promoted human rights, and made the world a slightly better place. We'll be looking at each of the Nobel Peace Prize laureates, their backgrounds, and the contributions that earned them this incredible honor. So, if you're ready to learn about some of the most inspiring people in history, keep reading! Let's get started with this journey, understanding the Nobel Peace Prize and its significance. It's a journey filled with tales of courage, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of a more peaceful world. Let's jump into it, shall we?

The Nobel Peace Prize: A Brief Overview

Alright, before we get to the winners, let's quickly chat about the Nobel Peace Prize itself. It's one of the five Nobel Prizes established by Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite. Yeah, the guy who made a fortune from explosives wanted to do something good with his money, so he established a series of prizes to honor achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and, of course, peace. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The award ceremony is held in Oslo, Norway, every year on December 10th, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. The prize comes with a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash award. The prize is awarded to individuals or organizations that have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses. Pretty cool, right? The committee considers nominations from a wide range of individuals, including members of national assemblies and governments, professors, and former Nobel Peace Prize laureates. The selection process is a rigorous one, with the committee carefully evaluating the nominees' contributions to peace. The goal is always the same: to honor those who have made a significant impact in promoting peace and understanding around the world. So, that's the gist of it. Now, let's get to the main event: the winners!

This prize is more than just a fancy medal and some cash; it's a global spotlight on those who dare to dream of peace and work tirelessly to make that dream a reality. The Nobel Peace Prize serves as a powerful reminder that every effort, no matter how small, can contribute to a more just and peaceful world. The impact of the Nobel Peace Prize extends far beyond the laureates themselves. It inspires countless individuals and organizations to strive for peace and to advocate for human rights. It also raises awareness of critical global issues, such as conflict resolution, human rights, and humanitarian aid. The prize is a symbol of hope and a call to action for everyone to play their part in building a better world. The award ceremony itself is a major international event, drawing attention to the laureates and their work. It provides a platform for them to share their message of peace and to inspire others to join their cause. The Nobel Peace Prize is more than an award; it's a legacy of peace that continues to shape our world. The selection process is a careful one, which makes each winner that much more significant. The committee's dedication to selecting worthy recipients ensures the award's continued prestige and impact. The Nobel Peace Prize is a powerful symbol of hope, a reminder of what humanity can achieve when we prioritize peace over conflict.

The Nobel Peace Prize Winners (1901-2024)

Here's the list of Nobel Peace Prize winners from 1901 to 2024. I've tried to make it as comprehensive as possible, but keep in mind that the Nobel Peace Prize isn't always awarded every year. Sometimes, the committee decides that no one has met the criteria, or there's simply no one who stands out enough. Here is the list:

1901: Jean Henri Dunant and Frédéric Passy – For their work in establishing the International Red Cross and promoting international peace.
1902: Élie Ducommun and Charles Albert Gobat – For their work in promoting international arbitration and the peace movement.
1903: William Randal Cremer – For his work in promoting international arbitration.
1904: Institut de Droit International – For its work in promoting international law and arbitration.
1905: Bertha von Suttner – For her work in the peace movement, particularly her novel "Lay Down Your Arms."
1906: Theodore Roosevelt – For his efforts in mediating the Russo-Japanese War.
1907: Ernesto Teodoro Moneta and Louis Renault – For their work in promoting international peace and arbitration.
1908: Klas Pontus Arnoldson and Fredrik Bajer – For their work in the peace movement and promoting international arbitration.
1909: Auguste Beernaert and Paul-Henri-Benjamin d'Estournelles de Constant – For their work in promoting international arbitration and peace.
1910: International Peace Bureau – For its work in promoting international peace.
1911: Alfred Fried and Tobias Michael Carel Asser – For their work in promoting international peace and arbitration.
1912: Elihu Root – For his work in promoting international arbitration.
1913: Henri La Fontaine – For his work in promoting international peace.
1917: International Committee of the Red Cross – For its humanitarian work during World War I.
1919: Woodrow Wilson – For his efforts in establishing the League of Nations.
1920: Léon Bourgeois – For his work in promoting international peace.
1921: Hjalmar Branting and Christian Lange – For their work in promoting international peace and the League of Nations.
1922: Fridtjof Nansen – For his work assisting refugees and promoting peace.
1925: Austen Chamberlain and Charles Gates Dawes – For their work in promoting international peace.
1926: Aristide Briand and Gustav Stresemann – For their efforts in promoting Franco-German reconciliation.
1927: Ferdinand Buisson and Ludwig Quidde – For their work in promoting international peace.
1929: Frank Billings Kellogg – For his role in the Kellogg-Briand Pact.
1930: Lars O. Jonathan and Nathan Söderblom – For their work in promoting international peace and religious understanding.
1931: Jane Addams and Nicholas Murray Butler – For their work in promoting international peace.
1933: Norman Angell – For his work in promoting international peace.
1935: Carl von Ossietzky – For his work in promoting peace and exposing German rearmament.
1936: Carlos Saavedra Lamas – For his work in mediating the Chaco War.
1937: Robert Cecil – For his work in promoting international peace and the League of Nations.
1938: Nansen International Office for Refugees – For its work assisting refugees.
1939: Not awarded
1940: Not awarded
1941: Not awarded
1942: Not awarded
1943: International Committee of the Red Cross – For its humanitarian work during World War II.
1944: International Committee of the Red Cross – For its humanitarian work during World War II.
1945: Cordell Hull – For his efforts in establishing the United Nations.
1946: Emily Greene Balch and John Raleigh Mott – For their work in promoting international peace.
1947: The Friends Service Council and The American Friends Service Committee – For their humanitarian work.
1949: Lord John Boyd Orr – For his work in promoting international peace and fighting hunger.
1950: Ralph Bunche – For his work in mediating the Arab-Israeli conflict.
1951: Léon Jouhaux – For his work in promoting international peace and workers' rights.
1952: Albert Schweitzer – For his philosophy of "reverence for life."
1953: George Catlett Marshall – For his role in the Marshall Plan.
1954: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – For its work assisting refugees.
1957: Lester B. Pearson – For his role in resolving the Suez Crisis.
1958: Dominique Pire – For his work assisting refugees.
1959: Philip Noel-Baker – For his work in disarmament.
1960: Albert Lutuli – For his role in the anti-apartheid movement.
1961: Dag Hammarskjöld – For his efforts in promoting peace and the United Nations.
1962: Linus Pauling – For his efforts in promoting a ban on nuclear weapons testing.
1963: International Committee of the Red Cross and League of Red Cross Societies – For their humanitarian work.
1964: Martin Luther King Jr. – For his nonviolent struggle for civil rights.
1965: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) – For its work for children worldwide.
1968: René Cassin – For his work in promoting human rights.
1969: International Labour Organization (ILO) – For its work in promoting social justice and workers' rights.
1970: Norman Ernest Borlaug – For his work in developing high-yield crops, contributing to food security.
1971: Willy Brandt – For his efforts in promoting peace between West and East Germany.
1973: Henry Kissinger and Lê Đức Thọ – For their efforts in negotiating the Paris Peace Accords (Lê Đức Thọ declined).
1974: Seán MacBride and Eisaku Satō – For their work in promoting human rights and disarmament.
1975: Andrei Sakharov – For his advocacy of human rights.
1976: Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan – For their efforts in promoting peace in Northern Ireland.
1977: Amnesty International – For its work in promoting human rights.
1978: Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat and Menachem Begin – For their efforts in promoting peace between Egypt and Israel.
1979: Mother Teresa – For her work in helping the poor and needy.
1980: Adolfo Pérez Esquivel – For his work in promoting human rights in Latin America.
1981: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – For its work assisting refugees.
1982: Alva Myrdal and Alfonso García Robles – For their work in promoting disarmament.
1983: Lech Wałęsa – For his efforts in promoting workers' rights and democracy in Poland.
1984: Desmond Tutu – For his work in the anti-apartheid movement.
1985: International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War – For its work in promoting nuclear disarmament.
1986: Elie Wiesel – For his work in remembering the Holocaust and promoting human rights.
1987: Óscar Arias – For his efforts in promoting peace in Central America.
1988: United Nations Peacekeeping Forces – For their efforts in promoting peace worldwide.
1989: The 14th Dalai Lama – For his efforts in promoting peace and nonviolence.
1990: Mikhail Gorbachev – For his efforts in ending the Cold War.
1991: Aung San Suu Kyi – For her nonviolent struggle for democracy and human rights in Myanmar.
1992: Rigoberta Menchú Tum – For her work in promoting the rights of indigenous peoples.
1993: Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk – For their work in ending apartheid in South Africa.
1994: Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres, and Yitzhak Rabin – For their efforts in promoting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
1995: Joseph Rotblat and Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs – For their work in promoting nuclear disarmament.
1996: Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo and José Ramos-Horta – For their efforts in promoting peace in East Timor.
1997: Jody Williams and International Campaign to Ban Landmines – For their work in banning landmines.
1998: John Hume and David Trimble – For their efforts in promoting peace in Northern Ireland.
1999: Médecins Sans Frontières – For its humanitarian work.
2000: Kim Dae-jung – For his efforts in promoting peace and reconciliation with North Korea.
2001: Kofi Annan and the United Nations – For their work in promoting peace and human rights.
2002: Jimmy Carter – For his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.
2003: Shirin Ebadi – For her efforts in promoting democracy and human rights in Iran.
2004: Wangari Maathai – For her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.
2005: Mohamed ElBaradei and the International Atomic Energy Agency – For their efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used in the safest possible way.
2006: Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank – For their work in promoting economic and social development, particularly through microcredit.
2007: Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – For their work in raising awareness about climate change.
2008: Martti Ahtisaari – For his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts.
2009: Barack Obama – For his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.
2010: Liu Xiaobo – For his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.
2011: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkol Karman – For their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work.
2012: European Union – For over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.
2013: Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons – For its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.
2014: Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai – For their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.
2015: Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet – For its decisive contribution to the building of a pluralistic democracy in Tunisia.
2016: Juan Manuel Santos – For his resolute efforts to bring the country's more than 50-year-long civil war to an end.
2017: International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) – For its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons.
2018: Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad – For their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.
2019: Abiy Ahmed Ali – For his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighboring Eritrea.
2020: World Food Programme – For its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.
2021: Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov – For their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.
2022: Ales Bialiatski, Memorial, and the Center for Civil Liberties – For their outstanding efforts to document war crimes, human rights abuses and the abuse of power. They demonstrate the significance of civil society for peace and democracy.
2023: Narges Mohammadi – For her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all.

This list isn't just a collection of names; it's a testament to the diverse ways people have worked towards peace. From politicians to activists, from organizations to individuals, they all share a common goal: to make the world a better place. The Nobel Peace Prize serves as a constant reminder that peace is not just the absence of war, but the presence of justice, equality, and human dignity.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Nobel Peace Prize

Let's get into some common questions about the Nobel Peace Prize and its winners:

Who decides who wins the Nobel Peace Prize? The Norwegian Nobel Committee, a group of five people appointed by the Norwegian Parliament, is responsible for selecting the laureates.
What are the criteria for winning the Nobel Peace Prize? The prize is awarded to those who have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses. The criteria is quite broad, allowing for various types of contributions.
Can anyone nominate someone for the Nobel Peace Prize? Yes, a wide range of individuals can nominate candidates, including university professors, members of national assemblies, and former laureates.
Why is the Nobel Peace Prize awarded in Oslo, Norway? Alfred Nobel, the founder of the prize, specified in his will that the Nobel Peace Prize should be awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
What is the significance of the Nobel Peace Prize? The prize recognizes and celebrates individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to peace. It also raises awareness about important global issues and inspires others to work towards a more peaceful world.
What does the winner receive? The Nobel Peace Prize includes a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash award. The prize is presented at a ceremony in Oslo, Norway.
Has the Nobel Peace Prize ever been controversial? Yes, the Nobel Peace Prize has been the subject of controversy throughout its history. Some awards have been criticized for being politically motivated or for recognizing individuals with questionable pasts.
Why are there years when the prize wasn't awarded? The Nobel Peace Prize is not always awarded every year. The Norwegian Nobel Committee may decide that no one has met the criteria, or there is simply no outstanding candidate.

The Impact of the Nobel Peace Prize Winners

It's worth noting that the influence of the Nobel Peace Prize extends far beyond the individuals and organizations who receive it. The stories of these laureates have inspired countless people to stand up for their beliefs, fight for justice, and work towards a more peaceful world. The prize serves as a powerful symbol of hope and a call to action. It shows us that every effort, no matter how small, can contribute to positive change. The winners become global ambassadors for peace, using their platform to advocate for human rights, promote dialogue, and work towards resolving conflicts. They demonstrate the power of nonviolence, perseverance, and dedication. These individuals and organizations continue to inspire others to make a difference in their communities and the world. Their legacies live on, motivating us all to strive for a world where peace, justice, and equality prevail. The Nobel Peace Prize is a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and work towards a better future.

Conclusion: Celebrating the Champions of Peace

So there you have it, folks! A complete list of Nobel Peace Prize winners from 1901 to 2024. These individuals and organizations have dedicated their lives to promoting peace, human rights, and a better world for all. Their stories are a source of inspiration, showing us that even in the face of conflict and adversity, it is possible to make a difference. Let's continue to honor their legacy and work towards a future where peace prevails. The Nobel Peace Prize continues to highlight the importance of peace and inspires us all to work toward a better, more just world. Keep the peace vibes alive, and keep striving to make our world a better place, one step at a time!