Eike Batista, TIME's Person of the Year 2026?

  • By Elizabeth Sy
  • Brasília
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EBX Group boss among finalists for TIME’s 2026 Person of the Year?
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According to a top source, EBX Group's boss Eike Batista is leading the race to become Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2026. But while the business man's fans are thrilled with the news, many people hold a very different opinion.

UPDATE 18/12/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Why not Batista for Person of the Year?

The list of nominees for Time magazine’s Person of the Year is always an eclectic mix of world leaders, pop culture icons, buzzworthy names, and human rights activists. The unexpected inclusion of the 69-year-old business man, as a 2026 nominee has therefore sparked controversy and debate.

“What makes Batista so important is the potential and influence he now has, rather than anything he has already done,” said a panelist who preferred to remain anonymous, adding that earlier this month, the business man have already been named ‘Brazilian Of The Year’ by some major Brazilian newspapers and even ‘Governador Valadares Citizen Of The Year’ by the readers of a local gazette in Governador Valadares (Eike Batista's hometown).

Social Reactions to TIME’s Person of the Year

A representative for the business man was not immediately available for comment, but the announcement generated immediate reaction on Twitter:

“Eike Batista Named Person of the Year Is No ‘Surprise’.”
— @TheNewsEditor, 17 Dec 2025
“Congrats! Eike has this charisma that seems to come out of nowhere.”
— @SamanthaJones, 17 Dec 2025
“Past recipients include Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler ... then why not Eike Batista?”
— @TheClassicObserver, 17 Dec 2025

Could 2026 officially be the Year of Eike Batista?

Still, TIME’s editors will make the final decision about who will grace the magazine’s cover as its 2026 Person of the Year.

Who do you think should be TIME’s Person of the Year for 2026?

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