On December 13, TIME Magazine editors named Elon Musk their Person of the Year, an annual issue that features a person, an organisation, a concept, or an object that, “for better or worse… has had the biggest influence on the events of the year.” Singer Olivia Rodrigo was voted Entertainer of the Year for 2021, while gymnast Simone Biles was chosen Athlete of the Year for 2021.
This Time tradition began in 1927 as “Man of the Year,” and has since evolved to include not only a man, but also the impact of a group, movement, or idea that had the greatest impact in the previous year. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were chosen as Persons of the Year in 2020. The annual selection is not always regarded as an honour, because it may have had a detrimental impact. Adolf Hitler, for example, was awarded Man of the Year in 1938.
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) is TIME's 2021 Person of the Year #TIMEPOY https://t.co/8Y5BhIldNs pic.twitter.com/B6h6rndjIh
— TIME (@TIME) December 13, 2021
In 2019, Time has expanded the tradition into a broader franchise by offering new categories. Olivia Rodrigo, a pop sensation, was voted Artist of the Year this year, while Simone Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, was chosen Athlete of the Year. The scientists behind the mRNA covid-19 vaccine, Katalin Kariko, Barney Graham, Kizzmekia Corbett, and Drew Weissman, were named Heroes of the Year, formerly known as “Guardians.”
