
The Genesis Prize Foundation, led by Stan Polovets, honors Argentine President Javier Milei — a historic first for a sitting head of state.
The Genesis Prize has named Argentine President Javier Milei its 2025 laureate. This marks the first time a head of state has received the prestigious award. This selection recognizes Milei’s extraordinary support of Israel and his pursuit of justice for Jewish victims of terror.
Milei’s unwavering support has been particularly noteworthy during recent challenges. “Since Oct. 7, he has been without a doubt one of Israel’s staunchest supporters,” stated Stan Polovets, co-founder and chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation. “When many of its allies remained quiet or condemned, pressured and — in some cases — sanctioned Israel, President Milei stood strong with Israel and was its most visible, vocal, and unequivocal supporter.”
For Milei, this steadfast advocacy reflects his belief that support for Israel is a moral imperative. Though raised Catholic, he discovered his Jewish heritage through his grandfather, who learned of his Jewish mother late in life. Adding another layer to this family history, Milei recently revealed that his great-great-grandfather was a rabbi who maintained Jewish traditions through generations of his family.
From Torah Study to Economic Reform: How Milei’s Jewish Faith Influences His Leadership
The Argentinian president’s embrace of Judaism extends beyond heritage into practice. He regularly studies the Torah, participates in prayer services, and has installed a mezuzah on his office doorpost. His spiritual journey is guided by Rabbi Axel Wahnish, whom Milei appointed as Argentina’s Ambassador to Israel. The President often begins cabinet meetings with discussions of the week’s Torah portion, demonstrating his genuine commitment to Jewish learning.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog accompanied Milei during his February 2024 visit to Kibbutz Nir Oz, which was attacked by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023. Herzog explained, “Argentina was the first Latin American country to recognize the State of Israel in February 1949. Because of my dear friend Javier Milei, relations are now stronger than ever.”
Under Milei’s leadership, Argentina has taken decisive steps to strengthen ties with Israel. The president has pledged to move the Argentine embassy to Jerusalem and has reversed his country’s previously anti-Israel voting pattern at the United Nations. Additionally, Milei has committed to pursuing justice for the victims of the 1992 and 1994 terrorist attacks against Jewish targets in Buenos Aires.
Stan Polovets stated, “In contrast to the anti-Israel stance by many of his predecessors and heads of other countries in South America, President Milei declared it a moral imperative to support the only Jewish state and called for other world leaders to do the same. Most Israelis refer to him as ‘our hero.’”
Beyond his support for Israel, Milei has achieved remarkable success in Argentina’s economic sphere. His administration has dramatically reduced monthly inflation from 25% to 2.4%, achieved the country’s first fiscal surplus since 2008, and he oversaw a 173% return in the S&P Merval Index in 2024, outperforming all other global markets.
Stan Polovets and The Genesis Prize Foundation: Celebrating Excellence
Stan Polovets explained that The Genesis Prize Foundation is “the only foundation awarding an annual $1 million to an individual who does not take the money but turns it around and invests it back into the community, often doubling or tripling the contribution with the help of matching donors.” In keeping with the tradition of all previous laureates, Milei announced he would forgo the financial award and direct the funds to causes promoting freedom and liberty worldwide.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Genesis Prize,” Milei stated. “My admiration for Israel, its history, and its people is deep-rooted and sincere. The Jewish people have demonstrated time and again that resilience and the constant defense of freedom are the keys to overcoming any challenge.”
Milei joins an illustrious group of previous laureates. The Genesis Prize’s distinguished history began with the selection of Michael R. Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor, in 2014. The following year, the prize honored Michael Douglas, an Academy Award-winning actor. In 2016, virtuoso violinist Itzhak Perlman received the award for his tireless advocacy for individuals with special needs.
Sir Anish Kapoor, the renowned sculptor whose installations have captivated audiences worldwide, was named the 2017 laureate in recognition of his powerful artistic voice and unwavering support for refugee rights. In 2018, two exceptional honorees were recognized: Natalie Portman, the Oscar-winning actress and social activist whose work spans environmental protection and women’s rights, and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her lifelong fight for gender equality and civil rights.
In 2019, the Genesis Prize recognized Robert Kraft, chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group and owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots. His dedication to combating antisemitism matches his business acumen. Natan Sharansky received the 2020 Genesis Prize for his extraordinary journey from political prisoner to prominent human rights defender. Demonstrating the same selfless spirit that characterized his life’s work, Sharansky reallocated the prize’s $1 million monetary award to aid vulnerable communities in Israel and across the globe facing hardships during the COVID pandemic.
The 2021 Genesis Prize recognized Steven Spielberg, whose transformative filmmaking career has illuminated the Jewish experience and universal human stories on screen. In the same year, the Genesis Prize bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously on Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, who had served as chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth and left an enduring legacy through his work inspiring young Jews and building bridges between faiths and cultures as a respected teacher of Jewish values and advocate for interfaith dialogue.
The prize’s recent years have highlighted individual and collective achievements. Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer, was recognized in 2022 for his leadership and determination in delivering a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. In 2023, the foundation honored Jewish activists and NGOs who supported Ukraine during the conflict. Barbra Streisand, whose multifaceted career spans singing, acting, directing, and activism, was named the 10th Anniversary Genesis Prize laureate in 2024. The same year, the prize acknowledged the vital work of Israeli organizations offering treatment, support, and counseling to the released and rescued hostages and their families.
Milei’s prize money will continue the foundation’s tradition of leveraging the annual award for broader humanitarian impact. Since its inception, the foundation has generated over $50 million in philanthropic initiatives, benefiting over 230 nonprofit programs across 31 countries.