The annual award goes to an event or person considered the greatest influence on global events in the past 12 months.
The magazine’s editor stated that the decision was “the clearest there has been in memory.”
“In a world that has come to be defined by its division, there was a unity around this cause, around this country,” wrote Edward Felsenthal.
He added that the “spirit of Ukraine” refers to Ukrainians around the world, including many who “fought behind the scenes.” This includes people like Ievgen Klopotenko, a chef who provided thousands of free meals to Ukrainians, and doctor Yuliia Payevska, who was captured and freed after three months in Russian captivity.
The magazine stated that Zelensky inspired Ukrainians and was internationally recognized for his courage in resisting the Russian invasion.
“Zelensky’s success as a leader in wartime depends on the fact that courage is contagious,” Felsenthal said.
Other honorees
Women in Iran were chosen as the “Heroes of the Year” for 2022, and the K-pop band Blackpink was recognized as Time’s “Artist of the Year.”
American baseball player Aaron Judge was recognized as the “Athlete of the Year,” and Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh is the “Icon of the Year.”
Elon Musk, who was last year’s winner, was again listed as a finalist. In 2021, his electric car company, Tesla, became the most valuable automaker in the world.
The tradition of selecting personalities who marked the year began in 1927 at Time Magazine – although at the time the tribute was called the “Man of the Year.”
Other previous winners included former German dictator Adolf Hitler in 1938, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was the Person of the Year in 2007.