The General Prize Committee of the Balzan Foundation, who 17 years ago acknowledged the significance of the German scientist’s research, congratulate Genzel who will join the ranks of the other seven Balzan Prizewinners who have become Nobel laureates: Karl von Frisch, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Alan J. Heeger, Bruce Beutler/Jules Hoffmann, Shinya Yamanaka, James Allison and Michel Mayor.