TIME's Person of the Year 2015 is German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Ever since TIME changed its title from "Man of the Year" in 1999, Merkel is the first individual woman to receive the "Person of the Year" recognition. Women, however, have been recognized as part of a group, such as last year's winner, "Ebola Fighters. "
The magazine bestowed the title on the 61 - year - old world leader for the way she managed the economic crisis over the summer, and the way she's currently handling the refugee crisis and terrorism threat looming over Europe.