From Nicole Kidman to Mary Fowler: Marie Claire reveals 2026 Women of the Year nominees

The 2026 marie claire Women of the Year Awards nominees have been announced, with winners to be named on Thursday 19 November at The Lands by Capella in Sydney.

Now in its seventh year, the awards cover nine categories across entertainment, business, sport, politics, design and the arts. A judging panel will select the winners.

Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue, Adut Akech Bior, Ash Barty and Magda Szubanski are shortlisted for Icon of the Year.

Entrepreneur of the Year nominees are RecipeTin Eats founder Nagi Maehashi, ON THE HOUSE founder Remy Tucker, Andromeda Robotics founder Grace Brown and Marrawah Law founder Leah Cameron.

Their businesses span food, access to period products, technology addressing loneliness and Indigenous legal leadership.

In Creative of the Year, author Liane Moriarty, filmmaker Selina Miles, artist Atong Atem and actor Heather Mitchell are nominated. Celia Pacquola, Tina Arena, Teresa Palmer and Philippa Northeast are up for Entertainer of the Year.

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Georgie McCourt, Editor of marie claire Australia, said: “Celebrating our seventh year with our biggest Women of the Year Awards yet is an incredibly proud moment for marie claire. This shortlist captures the extraordinary breadth of female talent in Australia, and the many different ways women are making an impact.

“Some of these women are names we’ve known and loved for decades. Others are women we want every Australian to know about. What connects them is the conviction to pursue something bigger — whether that’s changing an industry, standing up for a community or opening a door for the next generation.

“Championing women is at the heart of everything we do. These awards give us the opportunity to recognise their achievements, amplify their voices and celebrate what becomes possible when women have the support and freedom to fulfil their potential.”

The Advocate of the Year nominees are Sherele Moody, Dr Alison Thompson OAM, Kat Dopper and Mindy Woods, whose work covers violence against women, humanitarian crises, queer cultural spaces and First Nations food knowledge.

Champion of the Year nominees are distance runner Rose Davies, para-cyclist Tara Neyland, freestyle skier Jakara Anthony and footballer Mary Fowler. Designer of the Year nominees are Sarah Gittoes, Louise Olsen, Denni Francisco and Kit Willow, who work across jewellery, objects and fashion.

Powerhouse of the Year, which covers defence, business, politics and the arts, includes Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, Simone Young, Shemara Wikramanayake, Anika Wells, and Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall, who are jointly nominated.

The Rising Star shortlist is mountaineer Bianca Adler, youth mental-health advocate Chloe Wyatt-Jasper, comedian and writer Anisa Nandaula and Victorian MP Georgie Purcell.

The full 2026 marie claire Women of the Year shortlist:

ICON OF THE YEAR

• Nicole Kidman
• Kylie Minogue
• Adut Akech Bior
• Ash Barty
• Magda Szubanski

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

• Nagi Maehashi
• Remy Tucker
• Grace Brown
• Leah Cameron

CREATIVE OF THE YEAR

• Liane Moriarty
• Selina Miles
• Atong Atem
• Heather Mitchell

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Celia Pacquola
• Tina Arena
• Teresa Palmer
• Philippa Northeast

ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

• Sherele Moody
• Dr Alison Thompson OAM
• Kat Dopper
• Mindy Woods

CHAMPION OF THE YEAR

• Rose Davies
• Tara Neyland
• Jakara Anthony
• Mary Fowler

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

• Sarah Gittoes
• Louise Olsen
• Denni Francisco
• Kit Willow

POWERHOUSE OF THE YEAR

• Lieutenant General Susan Coyle
• Simone Young
• Shemara Wikramanayake
• Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall — joint nomination
• Anika Wells

RISING STAR

• Bianca Adler
• Chloe Wyatt-Jasper
• Anisa Nandaula
• Georgie Purcel