Malala Yousafzai partners with Apple TV+

SCREEN CAPTURE / ABC

Malala Yousafzai and Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, who just graduated from Oxford University this year, landed a deal with Apple TV+ to produce original programming for the streaming service.

Apple unveiled a multiyear programming partnership with women’s rights activist and youngest Nobel laureate Yousafzai Monday. Building on Yousafzai’s longstanding relationship with Apple, her original programming for Apple TV+ will span dramas, comedies, documentaries, animation, and children’s series, and draw on her ability to inspire people around the world.

“I believe in the power of stories to bring families together, forge friendships, build movements, and inspire children to dream,” said Yousafzai. “And I couldn’t ask for a better partner than Apple to help bring these stories to life. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support women, young people, writers, and artists in reflecting the world as they see it.”

"I have met Tim Cook in person, and I know how passionate he is for women's rights, equality and education," Yousafzai told CBS' Gayle King. "I had met so many people who say nice things but don't follow up, but Tim was just very different. He literally, like, started supporting Malala Fund."

At age 14, Malala was shot in the face by members of the Taliban for her advocacy of educating girls, which goes against the beliefs of the Taliban in Pakistan. 

At age 16, Yousafzai published her best-selling memoir, “I Am Malala.” She’s since written two more books, starred in a documentary about her early life, and created Assembly, a digital publication for girls and young women available on Apple News. Since launching in 2018, Assembly has published stories from young women in more than 100 countries and in over 20 languages.

At 17, she became the youngest person to win a Nobel Peace Prize for her work as an advocate for empowering young girls around the world.

Yousafzai also founded Malala Fund to champion every girl’s right to 12 years of safe, free, quality education. In 2018, Apple became Malala Fund’s first Laureate partner, supporting the organization’s work with local advocates and teachers in eight countries where girls face significant education challenges. Apple also assists with technology, curriculum, and research into policy changes to support girls’ education. The partnership has since expanded, and in Brazil, Apple’s 10 Developer Academies have partnered with Malala Fund to advance girls’ education opportunities there and around the world.

Cook told King, "Apple TV+ for us is a platform for very impactful and creative storytellers that really want to connect with their audience and change the world in the process. And there's no better example of that than Malala."