Christiane Amanpour
Christiane Amanpour
Full Name and Common Aliases
Christiane Amanpour is a renowned American journalist and correspondent of Iranian descent.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on January 9, 1958, in Tehran, Iran. Still active in her career as of my last update.
Nationality and Profession(s)
American journalist, news anchor, and war correspondent.
Early Life and Background
Christiane Amanpour was born to an Iranian father, Mohammad Amanpour, a diplomat who served under the Shah of Iran, and an American mother, Judith Melman. Her family moved to London when she was just five years old due to her father's work with the Iranian embassy there. The experience would later shape her interest in international relations and journalism.
Amanpour developed a passion for storytelling at an early age, drawn to the world of media through watching news programs and documentaries on television. She attended New York University (NYU), graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in 1985.
Major Accomplishments
Amanpour's career has been marked by several significant achievements:
- War Correspondent: Amanpour was one of the first journalists to report on the fall of the Soviet Union, and her work in covering the Gulf War in 1990-1991 set a benchmark for war reporting. Her ability to get close to the action and provide firsthand accounts earned her numerous awards.
- CNN Anchor: After joining CNN in 1983 as a producer and correspondent, Amanpour became one of the network's top anchors, known for her extensive coverage of global news and her interviews with world leaders.
- PBS NewsHour Anchor: In 2018, Amanpour took on the role of the lead anchor of PBS NewsHour, bringing her unique perspective to in-depth analysis and coverage of domestic and international news.
Notable Works or Actions
Amanpour's work has not only been recognized for its quality but also for its impact. She has interviewed numerous high-profile figures, including U.S. presidents, prime ministers, and other world leaders. Her interviews often delve into the personal side of her subjects' stories, providing a depth that is rare in journalism.
Impact and Legacy
Christiane Amanpour's career has been a testament to her dedication to journalism as a tool for understanding the complexities of the world we live in. Through her reporting and anchoring work, she has set a standard for international journalism, showing how close proximity to conflict zones and in-depth interviews can reveal insights into global issues.
Amanpour's legacy extends beyond her own achievements; she has inspired generations of journalists by pursuing stories that might have been overlooked or underreported. Her commitment to sharing diverse perspectives on current events has helped create a more informed public discourse.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Christiane Amanpour is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
- Fearlessness in the Face of Danger: Throughout her career, she has consistently shown the courage to report from areas where others might fear to tread. Her commitment to storytelling, even under difficult conditions, has earned her a reputation as one of the most fearless journalists.
- Compassionate yet Unflinching Approach: Amanpour's interviews often balance empathy with tough questioning, allowing viewers to gain a deeper understanding of world leaders and their decisions.
- Dedication to International Journalism: Her work embodies the spirit of international journalism at its best: telling stories that resonate globally and sparking meaningful conversations about our interconnected world.
Quotes by Christiane Amanpour
What you do, what you say, how you react to critical situations defines not just the moment, but it defines and shapes you.
Our industry has invested so much money in technology that perhaps it’s time to invest in talent, in people.
Here in the United States, our profession is much maligned, people simply don’t trust or like journalists anymore and that’s sad.
What Americans don’t care much about is the piffle we put on TV these days, what they don’t care about is boring, irrelevant, badly told stories, and what they really hate is the presumption that they’re too stupid to know the difference.
I believe America will always win the war. It’s a superpower that no one can challenge. The real challenge is for the United States to win the peace.
I’m thrilled to be joining the incredible team at ABC News. Being asked to anchor ‘This Week’ and the superb tradition started by David Brinkley, is a tremendous and rare honor, and I look forward to discussing the great domestic and international issues of the day.
In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it’s okay to aim his gun at a child.
There are some situations one simply cannot be neutral about, because when you are neutral you are an accomplice. Objectivity doesn’t mean treating all sides equally. It means giving each side a hearing.
And I worked my way up through every level. I was a writer, I was a producer, I was a field producer, I was a reporter and I am a reporter.
I am no longer sure that when I go out there and do my job it'll even see the light of air, if the experience of my network colleagues is anything to go by.