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Malala Yousafzai Then & Now: Photos of the Activist

By:
July 11, 2026 9:28AM EDT
Malala Yousafzai looks effortlessly elegant in a powder blue jacket and printed headscarf at a London screening of 'The Invite.' The Nobel laureate stepped out in style for Olivia Wilde's new film.
Getty Images

See photos of Malala over the years here.

Malala Yousafzai was born on July 12, 1997 in Mingora, Swat, Pakistan. As a child and pre-teen, she became an activist for education, leading her to be shot on Oct. 9, 2012 by a Taliban gunman on a bus after taking an exam. She survived the horrifying incident, which brought her to public prominence shortly after. Since, Malala has continued her advocacy work and written a book, ‘I Am Malala’ as well as told her story via the documentry ‘He Named Me Malala.’ At just 17 years old, she was the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate ever. After graduating from high school, Malala pursued a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford in England.

Scroll through the gallery to see photos of Malala through the years.

1 of 10

Malala Yousafzai Teams Up With MasterClass

Malala Yousafzai Teams Up With MasterClass
Courtesy of MasterClass/MEGA

Malala Yousafzai, the renowned activist and the world’s youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has teamed up with streaming platform MasterClass to become a teacher. She will lead a class on “creating change”.

With the MasterClass platform, Malala will share tactics, tools and “her four-stage framework for advocacy with members who are looking to forge their own path toward impactful change in society,” according to a press release about the partnership.

 

An advocate is someone who sees an injustice and doesn’t ignore it, but wants to take action,” Malala said. “My goal is to leverage the MasterClass platform as a vehicle to reach and instill courage in those who want to find their voice.”

November 30, 2021, 9:35AM
2 of 10

Malala Yousafzai Meets French President Emmanuel Macron

Malala Yousafzai Meets French President Emmanuel Macron
CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON/POOL/EPA

French President Emmanuel Macron is seen with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai and UNESCO’S Director-General Audrey Azoulay at the UNESCO’S headquarter during the Education and development G7 ministers Paris Summit on July 5, 2019. The trio posed in front of the Eiffel Tower.

February 26, 2020, 12:37PM
3 of 10

Malala Yousafzai With Farhan Akhtar

Malala Yousafzai With Farhan Akhtar
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/Shutterstock

Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani Nobel Peace Prize winner, poses for a photograph with Indian film director Farhan Akhtar. The duo attended an event to speak to cricket legends and celebrities from each of the competing nation ahead of the Cricket World Cup opening party on May 29, 2019.

February 26, 2020, 12:37PM
4 of 10

Malala Yousafzai Attends the World Assembly for Women

Malala Yousafzai Attends the World Assembly for Women
Masatoshi Okauchi/Shutterstock

Malala Yousafzai is seen on-stage at the 5th World Assembly for Women and Women 20 Japan event in Tokyo, Japan on Mar. 23, 2019. The ‘I Am Malala’ author wore a navy blue headscarf and red ensemble.

February 26, 2020, 12:37PM
5 of 10

Malala Yousafzai Meets Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Malala Yousafzai Meets Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
FRANCK ROBICHON/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai (L) and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) shake hands. The gesture came after they delivered a statement at Abe’s official residence in Tokyo, Japan, 22 March 2019. 

February 26, 2020, 12:37PM
6 of 10

Malala Yousafzai at Harvard University

Malala Yousafzai at Harvard University
Charles Krupa/AP/Shutterstock

2014 Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai holds up the 2018 Gleitsman Activist Award as the audience applauds. Malala was at the Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA on Dec. 6, 2018.

February 26, 2020, 12:37PM
7 of 10

Malala Yousafzai At Premiere ‘He Named Me Malala’

Malala Yousafzai At Premiere ‘He Named Me Malala’
Joanne Davidson/Shutterstock

Malala Yousafzai is seen at a Q&A panel for her film ‘He Named Me Malala’ on Oct. 22, 2015. The documentary detailed Malala’s advocacy work in education.

February 26, 2020, 12:37PM
8 of 10

Malala Yousafzai At Premiere Of ‘He Named Me Malala’

Malala Yousafzai At Premiere Of ‘He Named Me Malala’
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Malala Yousafzai is seen having a candid moment as she attends the premiere of ‘He Named Me Malala’ at The Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City on Sept. 24. 2015. Malala covered her head in a bright blue scarf with a green pattern.

February 26, 2020, 12:37PM
9 of 10

Malala Yousafzai Visits Refugee Camp

Malala Yousafzai Visits Refugee Camp
Muhammed Muheisen/AP/Shutterstock

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai — then 18 years old — and her father Ziauddin Yousafzai are seen holding hands as they walk through the Azraq refugee camp in Jordan. The visit came after Malala called world leaders “quite stingy” and argued they should spend less on weapons and more on education.

February 26, 2020, 12:37PM
10 of 10

Malala Youszfzai Attends the ‘He Named Me Malala’ premiere

Malala Youszfzai Attends the ‘He Named Me Malala’ premiere
Richard Young/Shutterstock

Malala Yousafzai, and her family members Ziauddin Yousafzai and Atal Khan Yousafzai attend the ‘He Named Me Malala’ special film screening in London on Oct. 22, 2015. Malala’s family looked so proud of her accomplishments! 

February 26, 2020, 12:37PM