Elon Musk.Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty
Timehas officially named its2021 Person of the Year!
On Monday, the magazine announced thatElon Musk— the CEO ofTeslaandSpaceX, as well as thewealthiest man in the world— has received the annual honor.
Timeeditor-in-chief and CEO Edward Felsenthal explained the decision in an editor’s letter.
“Person of the Year is a marker of influence, and few individuals have had more influence than Musk on life on Earth, and potentially life off Earth too. In 2021, Musk emerged not just as the world’s richest person but also as perhaps the richest example of a massive shift in our society.”
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In addition to championing the electric vehicle and the privatization of space exploration, Musk has beenunloading his homesand some stock — all factors inTime’s decision.
“The richest man in the world does not own a house and has recently beenselling off his fortune,“Timewrote. “He tosses satellites into orbit and harnesses the sun; he drives a car he created that uses no gas and barely needs a driver. With a flick of his finger, the stock market soars or swoons. An army of devotees hangs on his every utterance.”
Timealso named the researchers who worked on theCOVID-19vaccine as this year’sHeroes of the Yearon Monday.
That cover image shows scientists Katalin Kariko, Barney S. Graham, Kizzmekia Corbett and Drew Weissman — individuals who “achieved a breakthrough of singular importance, introducing an innovative and highly effective vaccine platform, based on mRNA, that will impact our health and well-being far beyond this pandemic,” the magazine wrote.
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This year,Timealso included an Entertainer of the Year, an Athlete of the Year and the aforementioned Heroes of the Year, alongside the main honoree. The Entertainer of the Year was previously awarded to singer-songwriterOlivia Rodrigo, while the Athlete of the Year went to gymnastSimone Biles.
Last year,Timechose now-PresidentJoe Bidenand Vice PresidentKamala Harrisfor the coveted Person of the Year spot. In 2019, Swedish climate change activistGreta Thunbergwas bestowed with the title.
source: people.com
