Amna Nawaz Biography: Award-Winning Journalist and PBS NewsHour Correspondent
Amna Nawaz is a highly respected American broadcast journalist and currently serves as the co-anchor of the PBS NewsHour alongside Geoff Bennett. She also holds the position of Chief Correspondent at PBS NewsHour.
As the co-anchor of PBS NewsHour, Nawaz plays a crucial role in delivering comprehensive and insightful news coverage to viewers across the United States.
She is known for her insightful reporting, engaging interviewing style, and ability to delve into complex issues with clarity and depth.
Early Life and Education
Born in Virginia, USA, to Pakistani parents, Amna Nawaz developed a passion for journalism early on.
Her father, Shuja Nawaz, was a journalist himself, further fueling her interest in the field. She attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County, Virginia, before pursuing her higher education.
Nawaz earned a bachelor’s degree in politics, philosophy, and economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 2001.
She furthered her studies by obtaining a master’s degree in comparative politics from the London School of Economics.
Journalism Career
Amna Nawaz’s career in journalism began at NBC News, where she served as a foreign correspondent and Islamabad Bureau Chief.
During her time at NBC, she covered significant events in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Turkey, and other regions.
She also founded and managed NBC’s Asian America platform, dedicated to amplifying the voices of America’s diverse Asian American community.
In 2016, Nawaz moved to ABC News, where she anchored breaking news coverage and led the network’s digital coverage of the 2016 presidential election.
She joined PBS NewsHour as a co-anchor and chief correspondent in 2018. In this role, she has continued to deliver insightful reporting on a wide range of national and international issues.
Her calm and authoritative demeanor, combined with her keen analytical skills, has made her a trusted voice in American journalism.
Awards and Recognition
Amna Nawaz has received numerous accolades for her outstanding work in journalism.
She is the recipient of an Emmy Award for the NBC News Special “Inside the Obama White House” and a Society for Features Journalism award.
She has also been honored with the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies’ Vision Award and the Media Award from the Muslim Affairs Public Council’s Media Award.
Beyond Journalism
Nawaz’s commitment to public service extends beyond her role as a journalist. She has been a Fall 2021 Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service.
She is also an active member of various organizations, including the Council on Foreign Relations, the Asian American Journalists Association, the South Asian Journalists Association, and the Inter-American Dialogue.
Amna Nawaz Age
AAmna Nawaz is 45 years old, born in Virginia, USA on September 18, 1979. She is of Asian-American ethnicity and holds American nationality. Her birth sign is Virgo
Amna Nawaz Family
Amna Nawaz was born in Virginia, USA, to Pakistani parents. Her father, Shuja Nawaz, was a journalist in Pakistan, and her mother, Seema Nawaz, was a homemaker. Amna has an uncle, Asif Nawaz Janjua, who served as an army officer in Pakistan.
While there isn’t much detailed information available about her siblings, it’s known that she grew up in a family that valued journalism and public service.
Amna’s upbringing in a culturally rich and supportive environment likely played a significant role in shaping her career path.
Amna Nawaz Education
Nawaz attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Following her undergraduate studies, she attended the London School of Economics (LSE), where she earned her Master’s in Comparative Politics.
Her academic background in political science and global issues provides the foundation for her analytical approach to journalism.
Amna Nawaz: Height, Weight
Height: Amna Nawaz stands at 5 feet 7 inches (Approx. 1.7 meters) tall.
Weight: She weighs around 58 kg
Amna Nawaz Career
Amna Nawaz’s career began as a producer at ABC News, where she covered significant events like the 2008 presidential election and the aftermath of the 2004 Asian tsunami.
She later joined NBC News, where she served as an anchor and correspondent. During her time there, she produced award-winning documentaries, including a focus on the rise of extremist groups in Pakistan.
In 2018, she joined PBS NewsHour as a correspondent and became co-anchor in 2022, alongside Geoff Bennett.
Nawaz’s reporting has earned numerous awards, including a Peabody Award, an Emmy Award, and the Overseas Press Club Award for her investigative journalism and international reporting.
Amna Nawaz has had a remarkable career in journalism, marked by her fearless reporting and insightful storytelling.
Here’s a detailed look at her career:
Early Career
Amna Nawaz initially planned to become a lawyer but changed her path after a fellowship at ABC News. She started her journalism career at Nightline before moving to NBC News in 2003.
At NBC, she worked on documentaries and was a producer for the Mortgage Crisis Investigations, which was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2008.
NBC News
Nawaz’s time at NBC was notable for her work on the International Reporting Project fellowship in 2009 and her Emmy-winning coverage of Inside the Obama White House in 2010. She later served as a correspondent and bureau chief at NBC’s Islamabad bureau.
ABC News
In 2015, Nawaz joined ABC News, where she anchored U.S. election coverage and national political coverage.
She also hosted the ABC podcast series Uncomfortable, which explored challenging and often overlooked topics.
PBS NewsHour
In April 2018, Nawaz joined PBS NewsHour as a foreign affairs correspondent. She quickly became a main co-anchor and has led coverage of major political events, including the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Black Lives Matter protests. Her work on the Plastic Problem series earned a Peabody Award in 2019.
Current Role
Since January 2023, Nawaz has been co-anchoring the PBS NewsHour alongside Geoff Bennett, following in the footsteps of Judy Woodruff.
She continues to be a prominent voice in journalism, known for her ethical reporting and ability to bring nuanced perspectives to complex issues.
Amna Nawaz has reported on numerous significant events throughout her career. Here are some of her most notable stories:
- January 6th Capitol Attack: Nawaz provided extensive coverage of the January 6th attacks on the U.S. Capitol, offering insights into the political and social implications of the event.
- Uvalde Mass Shooting: She reported on the tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, bringing attention to the issues of gun violence and school safety.
- Presidential Elections and Inaugurations: Nawaz has covered the elections and inaugurations of Presidents Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and Barack Obama, providing in-depth analysis and reporting on these historic events.
- Hurricane Katrina: She reported on the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina, highlighting the challenges faced by affected communities and the response efforts.
- Haiti Earthquake: Nawaz covered the 2010 Haiti earthquake, focusing on the humanitarian crisis and the international response.
- U.S. War in Afghanistan: She has reported from Afghanistan, offering a firsthand look at the complexities and human stories of the war.
- September 11th Attacks: Nawaz covered the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, providing coverage on the impact and the global response.
These stories showcase her commitment to reporting on critical issues and her ability to bring nuanced perspectives to complex situations.
Amna Nawaz works alongside several talented colleagues at PBS NewsHour. Some of her close colleagues include:
- Geoff Bennett: Amna’s co-anchor since January 2023. Geoff Bennett serves as the Chief Washington Correspondent and PBS News Weekend anchor. He has reported from the White House under three presidents and has covered five presidential elections.
- Judy Woodruff: The previous solo anchor of PBS NewsHour, who Amna and Geoff succeeded in January 2023.
- Nick Schifrin: A defense correspondent who covers national security and international affairs.
- Jon Meacham: A writer and presidential historian who contributes to the program.
Nawaz has spoken highly of her colleagues, expressing admiration for their dedication and the shared mission of providing reliable reporting and solid storytelling.
Amna Nawaz Husband
Amna Nawaz is married to Paul Werdel, a journalist who previously worked as a product director at The New York Times.
They tied the knot in 2007 and have two daughters, Lina and Karam. Paul decided to become a stay-at-home parent to support the family.
As for their hobbies, Amna and Paul enjoy spending quality time with their daughters, often engaging in activities like reading, exploring nature, and traveling.
They also share a passion for journalism, which has been a significant part of their lives.
The family resides in Washington, D.C., where Amna works as the Chief Correspondent for PBS NewsHour.
Amna Nawaz Salary | Net Worth
Amna Nawaz’s salary and net worth are reflective of her successful career in journalism.
She currently earns a substantial salary, though specific figures are not disclosed, as the Chief Correspondent and substitute anchor for PBS NewsHour.
Her net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $3 million as of 2022.
Her main sources of income include her salary from PBS NewsHour, as well as earnings from her previous roles at ABC News and NBC News.
Additionally, she may have other investments and income streams related to her extensive career in journalism.
Is Amna Nawaz Married?
Yes, Amna Nawaz is married to Paul Werdel, and the couple has two daughters. They reside in the Washington, D.C. area.
How Old Is Amna Nawaz?
Amna Nawaz is 45 years old as of 2024, born on September 18, 1979.
Where Is Amna Nawaz?
Amna Nawaz currently works at PBS NewsHour as the Chief Correspondent and substitute anchor. She joined PBS in April 2018 and has been a main co-anchor since January 2023.
At PBS NewsHour, Amna enjoys using her platform to tell impactful stories and bring important issues to light.
She finds it invigorating to empower people with facts so they can make informed decisions about their lives.
Additionally, she values the opportunity to hold people in power accountable and to continue doing work of consequence.
Amna Nawaz is active on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. She often shares insights on current events, behind-the-scenes glimpses of her work, and occasionally posts about her personal life and family.
Her presence on social media has helped her connect with a broader audience, offering a more personal view of her life and journalistic pursuits.
