Laury Thilleman, TIME's Person of the Year 2026?

  • By Elizabeth Sy
  • Paris
  • Last updated on

Former Miss France among finalists for TIME’s 2026 Person of the Year?

According to a well-placed source, the former Miss France Laury Thilleman is leading the race to become Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2026. But while the journalist's fans are thrilled with the news, many people hold a very different opinion.

UPDATE 18/07/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Why not Thilleman 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 34-year-old journalist, as a 2026 nominee has therefore sparked controversy and debate.

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

Social Reactions to TIME’s Person of the Year

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

“#ThillemanPOY. Logical choice though I wouldn't have made the same one.”
— @TomMiller, 17 Jul 2026
“Congrats! Laury has this charisma that seems to come out of nowhere.”
— @SamanthaJones, 17 Jul 2026
“Past recipients include Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler ... then why not Laury Thilleman?”
— @TheClassicObserver, 17 Jul 2026

Could 2026 officially be the Year of Laury Thilleman?

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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