Malala turns 29: Interesting facts about the Nobel peace prize winner

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Malala turns 29: Interesting facts about the Nobel peace prize winner

Born on 12 July, 1997, these are some interesting facts about the youngest nobel peace prize winner

Written by Aanya Mehta
Updated: July 12, 2026 12:19 IST
Updated : July 12, 2026 12:19 IST

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   As Malala Yousafzai celebrates her 28th birthday, here’s a look at the extraordinary life of the education activist who became a global symbol of courage. Based on information from the Nobel Prize Foundation, these are some of the most inspiring facts about the world’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate. (wikimedia commons)

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      She began raising her voice as a schoolgirl: When the Taliban took control of Pakistan’s Swat Valley and destroyed girls’ schools, Malala documented life under their rule in a diary published by BBC Urdu in 2009. Her courageous writing brought international attention to the issue of girls’ education. (wikimedia commons)

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         She continues her mission through the Malala Fund: Malala co-founded the Malala Fund with her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, to help girls access 12 years of free, safe, and quality education. The organization continues to support education initiatives and empower girls across the world. (wikimedia commons)

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            She fought for every child’s right to education: The Nobel Committee honoured Malala “for her struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.” Her lifelong mission has been to ensure that every child, especially girls, has access to quality education. (wikimedia commons)

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               She inspired the world before turning 17: Before receiving the Nobel Prize, Malala was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2013. On her 16th birthday, she delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations, calling for equal education opportunities for girls worldwide. (wikimedia commons)

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                  She is the youngest Nobel Prize laureate: Malala was just 17 years old when she received the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, making her the youngest person ever to win a Nobel Prize. She shared the honour with Indian child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi. (wikimedia commons)

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                     She survived an assassination attempt: In 2012, a Taliban gunman shot Malala in the head while she was travelling home on a school bus. She survived the attack, underwent treatment in the UK, and continued advocating for education despite the threats against her life. (wikimedia commons)