Awarded the prize "for her unremitting efforts to advance the Venezuelan peoples struggle for democratic rights, and her work to achieve a just and peaceful transition from authoritarian rule to a democratic regime."

Born on October 7, 1967 in Caracas, Venezuela. Madam Machado studied at the Andrés Bello Catholic University. She  became an industrial engineer after graduation, and completed a degree in Finance at the Venezuelan Institute of Higher Management Studies (IESA).