‘I still want to verify this’: Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay’s first reaction

Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, an 85-year-old former international judge, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. Upon receiving the news, Pillay expressed initial disbelief, questioning if the announcement was a prank and stating a need to verify the information before accepting it as factual.

The announcement was met with public support from her professional colleagues. Pillay’s reaction highlights the unexpected nature of the recognition, as she sought confirmation of the award before acknowledging the honor.