CNN reports the 61-year-old German leader has won the title for her "steadfast moral leadership in a world where it is in short supply," wrote Time editor Nancy Gibbs.
Merkel topped the magazine's list followed by Islamic State leader Abi Bakr al-Baghdadi (2nd place), US presidential candidate Donald Trump (3rd place), activist group Black Lives Matter (4th place), Iran President Hassan Rouhani (5th place), American entrepreneur Travis Kalanick (6th place), and transgender Olympian Caitlyn Jenner (7th place).
"For asking more of her country than most politicians would dare, for standing firm against tyranny as well as expedience and for providing steadfast moral leadership