The 18th edition of the Slovak Woman of the Year readers’ poll culminated on Friday with a gala evening at the Slovak Philharmonic. During the festive evening in Bratislava’s Reduta, 12 bronze statuettes were handed over. The title Absolute Slovak of the Year 2026 was awarded to Andrea Straková Fedorková, vice-dean for science and research at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of PJ Šafárik University in Košicewhich has been dedicated to electrochemistry, nanotechnology and battery system research for over 15 years. It also holds first place in the science and research category.
She succeeded in the media and communication category Janette Štefánková, presenter of the main news program of Slovak Television. The winner of the art and culture category is actress Hana Gregorová. In the category of business and management, Miriam Lapuníková, director of the Faculty Hospital with Polyclinic FD Roosevelt Banská Bystrica, received a bronze statuette symbolizing femininity, creative power, grace and success. In the field of sports, the cyclist Viktória Chladoňová won, who at the age of nineteen has six medals from the world championships in three different cycling disciplines.
Helena Petrusová won the Slovak Woman of the Year title in the category of supporting young talentsco-owner of the company Agrokarpaty Plavnica, where she built a natural herbal school that educates students about the ecological cultivation of plants and their healing power. It belongs to the area of charity award to Gabriela Matkulčíkováfounder of the civic association Vidíme srdcom in Dolný Kubín, which organizes charitable activities for children, families and individuals in need.
Ľuba Englerová won in the education categorydeputy headmistress of the Milan Hodža Vocational Secondary School in Banská Bystrica, who has dedicated her entire professional life to young people and the development of vocational education. The championship in the healthcare category belongs to Mária Vasilovahead of the neonatology department of the Humen hospital, one of the founders of Slovak neonatology.
The special award was given by an expert jury to the first lady of Slovak viticulture, Dorota Pospíšilovávine breeder, author of the most famous Slovak varieties Dunaj and Devín. Alena Korenčíková became the second extraordinary Slovakmedical director of the Piešťany and Smrdáky spas. A special prize in memoriam was awarded to Mária Ďurovičová, who founded and led the folklore ensemble Praslica in Kozárovce for 60 years and devoted her whole life to culture and traditions.
All eyes on Majtánová
During the gala, the ladies showed off their best gowns. Karin Majtánová, host of the Women’s Club on STVR, did not miss the spectacular event. She arrived in a striking cyclamen gown that accentuated her tan, accompanied by her husband Peter. PHOTO can be found in the gallery.
“She was beautiful, and the dress was also really nice,” commented Majtán’s outfit on her make-up artist’s profile. “Actually, my sled fell off. A true goddess today…” another one joined. “She’s 17 and walks like a woman,” flattered another.
The Slovak Woman of the Year survey is a prestigious project whose main goal is to make women who participate in the country’s growth as visible as possible. It is a continuation of the event that the weekly Slovenka organized in the past under the title Woman of the Year and Man of the Year. The winners in the individual categories were decided by television viewers in the form of SMS voting, and Slovenka readers by means of coupons and internet voting.
