Malala Yousafzai’s new portrait unveiled at Oxford University

2026-02-10 - 06:26

LONDON – A new portrait of Pakistan’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Lady Margaret Hall alumna Malala Yousafzai was unveiled at Lady Margaret Hall. Painted by portrait artist Isabella Watling, the work was commissioned by LMH in collaboration with the Oxford Pakistan Programme, thanks to the support of a generous donor. Malala Yousafzai, wearing a lavender purple outfit and headscarf, looks across at an oil portrait of herself The unveiling took place at LMH’s annual Founders and Benefactors Dinner, which celebrates the achievements of the College community and recognises the generosity of benefactors past and present. Malala studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at LMH, graduating in 2020, and is an internationally recognised advocate for girls’ education. In 2014, she became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, awarded for her work promoting the right to education for girls. Through Malala Fund, she continues to campaign globally to ensure that every girl has access to at least 12 years of free, safe and quality education. She was elected as an Honorary Fellow of LMH in 2024. Reflecting on the experience of painting the portrait, Isabella Watling said: “It was a huge honour to paint Malala’s portrait. In the picture, I wanted to try and capture some of her strength and grace. I found it was unusually challenging to finish, because of the pressure of painting such a well-known face.” The portrait recognises Malala’s achievements and the global impact of her work as an advocate for girls’ education. Reflecting on its significance, Malala said: “I am incredibly grateful to Lady Margaret Hall for commissioning this portrait and for the trust it represents. I accept this honour with the hope that it helps open doors for many others. More than anything, I hope it serves as a reminder that a girl from Swat Valley belongs here — and that the next girl from a village in Pakistan, Afghanistan, or anywhere else — belongs here too.”