Pillay, who rose from a Tamil family in apartheid Durban, has spent three decades defending the rule of law across continents.
Her jurisprudence includes a 2011 ruling that recognized rape as genocide, and a 2012 decision that held propaganda an incitement to genocide, reshaping international criminal law.
The Nobel Committee, chaired by Professor Hervé Dufour, praised her for holding powerful states accountable and for preventing the erosion of legal institutions.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa lauded Pillay, saying she embodies the nation’s struggle for justice, while a mother in Durban recalls how Pillay’s early advocacy inspired her to fight for civil rights.
The award will be presented in Oslo on November 24, with the International Court of Justice planning a special session to honor her legacy.