Caitlyn Jenner has definitely had a whirlwind year. But even as 2015 nears its close, the 66-year-old Olympic athlete has garnered herself yet another honor: Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating Person of 2015.
Other celebrities like Amy Schumer, Misty Copeland, Ronda Rousey, Bradley Cooper, Tracy Morgan, and even presidential candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders were also some of the "most fascinating" guests of the night. Upon the announcement, Walters herself, said "Our choice for the most fascinating person of the year was once called the world's greatest athlete. [...] Traditionally that title was given to the man who won the Olympic decathlon. When Bruce Jenner won it in 1976, it was a huge accomplishment that had everybody talking. But it was nothing like this. When Bruce Jenner became Caitlyn Jenner, there was a seismic shift in the gender universe."
According to Entertainment Tonight, the annual special also highlighted Jenner's transition through the "20/20" interview with Diane Sawyer back in April, her reality show "I Am Cait," among the other honors that the "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" star has garnered over the past year, including her Vanity Fair debut in June.
"She was a lightning rod for criticism," Walters said about Caitlyn. "First, for the [Arthur Ashe] Courage Award that ESPN gave her. Then for the glamorous style of her transition. But Caitlyn's celebrity brought new attention to the grim reality of life for many transgendered people."
Since speaking the truth about her identity, People reports that Caitlyn Jenner has already gained recognition as on of Glamour's Women of the Year, gained a Teen Choice Award as Social Media Queen, as well as the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year's ESPYs.
"Famous and familiar, she raised awareness and acceptance of transgendered people," Walters added. "Through her own transformation, Caitlyn Jenner transformed society this year, and that, for us, makes her the most fascinating person of 2015."
Caitlyn Jenner joins the ranks of Jackie Onassis, Princess Diana, Hillary Clinton, and Amal Clooney as most fascinating person of the year.
