Wishaw's Higgins enjoyed an exceptional 2010/11 season, winning the 12BET.com UK Championship, Wyldecrest Park Homes Welsh Open and Betfred.com World Championship.
He received the main World Snooker Player of the Year Award as well as winning the Snooker Journalists Player of Year category.
"I'm honoured to have been named Player of the Year," said Higgins, who beat Judd Trump 18-15 in a thrilling World final last Monday. "It's a fantastic way to round off what has been an incredible season. Winning a fourth World title was a new high in my career, and I hope there are many more titles to come."
Crucible runner-up Trump won the Fans Player of the Year and the Performance of the Year for his sensational run of form in the past few weeks, winning the Bank of Beijing China Open and getting to the World final.
The Players Player of the Year vote went in favour of Mark Williams, who won the new German Masters and climbed to No 1 in the world rankings.
Gifted newcomer Jack Lisowski won the Rookie of the Year award, having qualified for two ranking events and climbed to 52nd in the world in his first professional season.
Magic Moment of the Year was awarded to Rory McLeod for his thrilling win over Tony Drago, culminating in a fluked final black, at the CaesarsCasino.com Snooker Shoot-Out.
Seven players to have made a maximum break during the season were given a place in the new 147 Club.
And World Snooker introduced a new Hall of Fame. Inducted in the first year were eight players who have won multiple World titles and helped make the sport great: Joe and Fred Davis, John Pulman, Ray Reardon, John Spencer, Alex Higgins, Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry.
The Awards Ceremony was attended by leading players including Williams, Trump, Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Shaun Murphy, Ali Carter and Ken Doherty. It came at the end of one of the best ever seasons of snooker, with a range of new and exciting tournaments.
World Snooker Awards, 2010/11:
World Snooker Player of the Year: John Higgins
Snooker Journalists Player of the Year: John Higgins
Fans Player of the Year: Judd Trump
Players Player of the Year: Mark Williams
Performance of the Year: Judd Trump
Rookie of the Year: Jack Lisowski
Magic Moment of the Year: Rory McLeod
147 Club: Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Kurt Maflin, Barry Hawkins, Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon, Mark Williams, Rory McLeod
Hall of Fame: Joe and Fred Davis, John Pulman, Ray Reardon, John Spencer, Alex Higgins, Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry
