Christiane Amanpour Biography
Christiane Amanpour is a well-known British-Iranian journalist and television host. She serves as the Chief International Anchor for CNN and is the face of CNN International’s nightly interview show, Amanpour. On Saturdays, she also hosts CNN’s The Amanpour Hour, and you can catch her on PBS with Amanpour & Company. Additionally, she presents Christiane Amanpour Presents The Ex-Files alongside her ex-husband, James Rubin, on Global.
Christiane Amanpour Career
Christiane Amanpour began her career as an NBC affiliate in Rhode Island before joining CNN in September 1983 as an entry-level assistant on the international news desk. She quickly moved to the New York City bureau and then to Frankfurt as a reporter when a position became available. Her move to Frankfurt played a great role in shaping her career. She reported on the democratic revolutions sweeping across Europe and soon became the go-to reporter for CNN. She began covering the Gulf War in 1990 and quickly became a recognized figure, covering everything from the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait through the US coalition’s victory. Her hard work and tenacity were quickly recognized, and she was invited to cover other nations. You May Also Like: Ana Cabrera
She also covered the Iraqi Kurdish uprising. She traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina to chronicle the violence in 1992. She was promoted to CNN’s chief international correspondent as a result of her daring and bravery. Her tour to Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as her coverage of the country, she considers to be the pinnacle of her career. Amanpour continued to report from the field in various countries between 1992 and 2010, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Somalia, and Rwanda. She was successful in obtaining exclusive interviews with world leaders.
From 1996 until 2005, she was invited by Don Hewitt to provide four or five in-depth international news stories per year as a special contributor. Her reporting not only helped her to become more successful, but it also helped her to win more prizes. After the 9/11 attacks, she was the first correspondent to interview Tony Blair, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai. ‘Colonel’ Muammar Gadhafi, Libya’s former leader, was interviewed by her during the Arab Spring. She was also the final journalist to speak with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Interviews with President Nicolas Maduro, President Dilma Rousseff, Constantine II of Greece, Ameera al-Taweel, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep are among her other coverage and exclusives. Her most difficult interview was with Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. ‘Where Have All the Parents Gone?’ (2006), a documentary about Kenyan children orphaned by AIDS, is one of her many award-winning documentaries. ‘In the Footsteps of Bin Laden’ (2006) and ‘The War Within’ (2006) are two documentaries about bin Laden (2007).
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In March 2010, Amanpour announced that she would be making a move to ABC News after spending an impressive 27 years with CNN. She took on the role of host for ABC’s ‘This Week,’ but unfortunately, the show’s ratings took a nosedive during her tenure. By December 2011, she decided to step down from that position and make her way back to CNN International.
Despite this shift, she still plays a role at ABC News as a correspondent, effectively straddling both networks. Currently, she serves as ABC News’ global affairs anchor while also holding the title of chief correspondent for CNN International. Her show, ‘Amanpour,’ made a comeback in 2012 after originally airing from 2009 to 2010. This program has become CNN International’s flagship global affairs interview show, tackling pressing current events and issues.
Christiane Amanpour Age
How old is Christiane? Amanpour is 68 years old as of 2026. She was born on 12 January 1958 in London, United Kingdom. She celebrates her birthday on the 12th of January every year.
Christiane Amanpour Education
Amanpour earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Rhode Island, summa cum laude.
Christiane Amanpour Nationality | Ethnicity
What ethnicity is Kim? he belongs to the white ethnicity/heritage. She was born and raised in Ealing, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom and she holds Britain nationality and citizenship by birth.
Christiane Amanpour Height
Amanpour stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches(1.71 m).
Christiane Amanpour Family | Parents
Amanpour was born in the West London suburb of Ealing, to Mohammad Taghi and Patricia Anne Amanpour. Her father is from Iranian, and Tehran. Amanpour was raised in Tehran until age 11. Her father was Shi’ite Muslim and her mother was Catholic.
Christiane Amanpour Wife | Married
Christiane is happily married to the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, since 1998 James Phillip Rubin. The couple met in 1997 in Bosnia while on an assignment and he was traveling with the Secretary of State. They have an amazing son, Darius John Rubin, and currently reside in London. She was previously dating Luc Delahaye, a combat photographer, and Paul Marchand, a radio journalist.
Christiane Amanpour’s 43-Year Career at CNN
Christiane Amanpour’s journey at CNN began in 1983 when she stepped in as an assistant on the international assignment desk in Atlanta. From there, she climbed the ranks to become a foreign correspondent and ultimately the network’s chief international anchor.
Her reporting truly shone during the 1991 Gulf War, earning her widespread acclaim. Following that, she tackled major conflicts and humanitarian crises across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Throughout her career, Amanpour became renowned for her interviews with world leaders and her fearless reporting from conflict zones, often putting herself in harm’s way where many journalists would hesitate.
Her impactful coverage from places like Bosnia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine solidified her status as a leading international journalist.
But her contributions went beyond just daily news. Through her various television programs, she engaged with policymakers, diplomats, cultural icons, and other influential figures, discussing the events that shape our world.
Now, after 43 years, her departure from CNN marks a significant shift for a journalist whose career has been so deeply intertwined with the network’s international reporting.
Is Christiane Amanpour Also Leaving PBS?
Yes, it’s true! Christiane Amanpour has revealed that her PBS show, Amanpour & Co., will wrap up at the end of 2026.
Throughout its run, the program has been a platform for insightful interviews and discussions covering everything from international affairs to politics, culture, and significant global events.
With the show’s conclusion, Amanpour will be stepping back from two major television roles as she embarks on her next professional journey.
But don’t worry—she’s not stepping away from journalism entirely. She plans to keep her podcast going and is looking forward to diving into new projects.
What Will Happen to Christiane Amanpour’s CNN Show?
With Amanpour stepping away, her flagship program on CNN International, aptly named Amanpour, is set to undergo some changes. Starting in January 2027, the show will shift to a new format, airing just one episode a week. It’s anticipated that the series will wrap up in May 2027, just ahead of Amanpour’s exit from CNN in June.
This new schedule aims to ease viewers into the transition rather than abruptly cutting off her presence on television.
Since 2009, Amanpour has been at the helm of this international affairs program, engaging with political leaders, diplomats, activists, and other key figures. The show has played a vital role in CNN International’s coverage of global issues.
Her departure will undoubtedly have a significant impact, not only on her own career but also on the future of this long-standing news program.
Is Christiane Amanpour Leaving CNN?
Yes, she is. Christiane Amanpour has officially announced that she will be leaving CNN in June 2027, marking the end of a remarkable partnership that began back in 1983.
After months of reflection, Amanpour shared her decision, referring to CNN as her partner for an impressive 43 years. She took a moment to express her gratitude to her colleagues, production teams, and field crews who have supported her in covering significant international events throughout her career.
CNN’s chief executive, Mark Thompson, acknowledged her choice and commended her decades of dedicated journalism, loyalty, and invaluable contributions to the network.
Her exit will be gradual rather than abrupt. Starting in January 2027, her CNN International program, Amanpour, will transition to a weekly format. The show is set to conclude in May 2027, with Amanpour officially leaving the network the following month.
This announcement has garnered a lot of attention, given her extensive experience covering international affairs for CNN over the past four decades. Her reporting has spanned major conflicts and humanitarian crises in regions like the Gulf, Bosnia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Iran.
Why Is Christiane Amanpour Leaving CNN?
Christiane Amanpour hasn’t shared a specific reason for her departure from CNN. She mentioned that she spent considerable time contemplating her decision before realizing it was time for a new chapter.
In her announcement, she expressed appreciation for her time at CNN and mentioned her excitement for the intriguing new projects that lie ahead.
Her statement did not imply any wrongdoing on the part of CNN management or suggest any disagreements with the network as the cause for her departure.
Is CNN’s New Ownership Behind Her Departure?
Amanpour’s announcement came just after Paramount Skydance wrapped up its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which is CNN’s parent company, back in October 2026.
This timing has sparked speculation about whether the corporate shake-up played a role in her decision. However, Amanpour hasn’t pointed to the acquisition as a reason for her exit.
She made it clear that her dedication to independent journalism remains strong, stating she will continue to uphold CNN’s legacy of truth-telling.
While the ownership change is certainly an important backdrop, there’s no solid evidence linking it directly to her departure. So, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions about the merger being the cause without more details.
Did Christiane Amanpour Have a Disagreement With CNN?
As of now, there’s no confirmed public evidence suggesting that a clash with CNN management prompted Amanpour’s exit. CNN’s chief executive has openly praised her contributions, and Amanpour’s own remarks centered on her extensive career and the exciting opportunities ahead.
Unless either side shares more information, any claims that she was pushed out or left due to an internal dispute remain unproven.
Is Christiane Amanpour Retiring?
Nope! Christiane Amanpour has made it clear that her departure from CNN doesn’t mean she’s hanging up her journalism hat for good.
While she’s wrapping up her long-standing relationship with the network, she’s got plans to dive into other exciting projects. She’s also confirmed that she’ll keep working on her podcast, The Ex Files, alongside Jamie Rubin.
Her future plans indicate that she’s eager to stay engaged in media and public discourse, even as she steps back from her well-known television role.
It’s crucial to understand the difference between leaving a specific broadcaster and retiring from the entire field. Amanpour’s announcement clearly reflects the former, not the latter.
At 68, she’s closing a significant chapter in her career but is definitely leaving the door open for new professional adventures.
What Is Christiane Amanpour’s Next Job?
As of October 23, 2026, Christiane Amanpour hasn’t revealed any specific new full-time job or confirmed plans to join another television network.
In her farewell statement, she expressed excitement about pursuing interesting new projects. However, she didn’t mention any potential employers or share details about a new role.
So, any reports or rumors suggesting she’s heading to another major news organization should be taken with a grain of salt until there’s official confirmation.
Will Christiane Amanpour Continue Her Podcast?
Absolutely! Christiane Amanpour has confirmed that she will keep going with her podcast, The Ex Files, which she co-hosts with Jamie Rubin, a former U.S. diplomat.
This podcast serves as a great outlet for her to dive into discussions that go beyond her usual television work. By continuing this project, she can stay engaged in the media landscape even after her departure from CNN.
It’s important to note that while the podcast is definitely moving forward, it doesn’t mean she’s taken on a new full-time role anywhere just yet.
Will Christiane Amanpour Join Another News Network?
As for whether Amanpour will join another news network, there hasn’t been any official word on that front since her exit from CNN.
Given her vast experience in international reporting, there are plenty of avenues she could explore—think interviews, documentaries, special reports, or speaking engagements. However, these remain possibilities rather than set plans.
Until she shares her next steps, it seems Amanpour is focused on pursuing new opportunities while keeping her podcast alive.
Christiane Amanpour Salary
How much does she earn? Amanpour earns an annual salary ranging between $140,000 – $210,500.
Christiane Amanpour Net Worth
Amanpour has an estimated net worth of $5 Million $ 8 Million which she has earned through being a Chief International Anchor and TV host.
Christiane Amanpour Book
- The Unfinished Revolution: Voices from the Global Fight for Women’s Rights.
Christiane Amanpour Health | Cancer
Amanpour disclosed in June 2021 that she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had undergone “major successful surgery to remove it,” as well as many months of treatment.
Christiane Amanpour Awards
Every major television journalism prize has gone to Amanpour, including eleven Emmy Awards for News and Documentary, four Peabody Awards, two George Polk Awards, three DuPont-Columbia Awards, and the Courage in Journalism Award. She has nine honorary degrees, was granted a CBE, and was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame this year. She is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Press Freedom and Journalist Safety and an honorary citizen of Sarajevo.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Christiane Amanpour leaving CNN?
Christiane Amanpour is set to depart from CNN in June 2027. Her show will transition to a weekly format starting in January 2027, with the final episode expected to air in May.
Why is Christiane Amanpour leaving CNN?
Amanpour has shared that her decision came after months of thoughtful consideration. However, she hasn’t provided a specific reason or confirmed whether the recent changes in CNN’s ownership played a role in her choice.
Is Christiane Amanpour retiring?
Not at all. She has mentioned that she’s excited about new opportunities ahead and plans to keep her podcast, The Ex Files, going. Her exit from CNN doesn’t mean she’s retiring from journalism.
What is Christiane Amanpour’s next job?
As of now, there hasn’t been any announcement regarding her next full-time position. While she’s shown interest in future projects, she hasn’t confirmed any plans to join another news network or media outlet.
Is Christiane Amanpour joining another news network?
As of October 23, 2026, there hasn’t been any official confirmation about her joining a new network. Fans should stay tuned for any announcements from Amanpour or potential employers.
What happens to Amanpour & Co.?
Her PBS program, Amanpour & Co., is set to conclude at the end of 2026.
Will Christiane Amanpour continue The Ex Files?
Absolutely! Amanpour has confirmed that she will keep producing the podcast with her ex-husband, Jamie Rubin, even after her departure from CNN.
How long has Christiane Amanpour worked at CNN?
Amanpour joined CNN back in 1983 and will be leaving in June 2027, marking nearly 44 years with the network.
