German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who ushered Europe through the continent's debt and migration crises, was named Time's Person of the Year on Wednesday.
"Merkel had already emerged as the indispensable player in managing Europe's serial debt crises; she also led the West's response to Vladimir Putin's creeping theft of Ukraine," Time editor Nancy Gibbs said in a statement.
"But now the prospect of Greek bankruptcy threatened the very existence of the euro zone.
The migrant and refugee crisis challenged the principle of open borders.
And finally, the carnage in Paris revived the reflex to slam doors, build walls and trust no one.
"Each time Merkel stepped in."