Erik Orsenna, TIME's Person of the Year 2026?
- By Elizabeth Sy
- Paris
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According to a well-placed source, the French academician Erik Orsenna is leading the race to become Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2026. But while the author's fans are thrilled with the news, many people hold a very different opinion.
UPDATE 18/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)
Why not Orsenna 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 78-year-old author, as a 2026 nominee has therefore sparked controversy and debate.
“What makes Orsenna 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 author have already been named ‘French Of The Year’ by some major French newspapers and even ‘Paris Citizen Of The Year’ by the readers of a local gazette in Paris (Erik Orsenna's hometown).
Social Reactions to TIME’s Person of the Year
A representative for the author was not immediately available for comment, but the announcement generated immediate reaction on Twitter:
“Erik Orsenna Named Person of the Year Is No ‘Surprise’.”
— @TheNewsEditor, 17 Jan 2026
“Congrats! Erik has this charisma that seems to come out of nowhere.”
— @SamanthaJones, 17 Jan 2026
“Past recipients include Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler ... then why not Erik Orsenna?”
— @TheClassicObserver, 17 Jan 2026
Could 2026 officially be the Year of Erik Orsenna?
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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