History of Christiane Amanpour in Timeline

Christiane Amanpour is a prominent British-Iranian journalist and television host. She serves as CNN's Chief International Anchor, hosting the nightly interview program 'Amanpour' on CNN International, 'The Amanpour Hour' on CNN, and 'Amanpour & Company' on PBS. Additionally, she co-hosts 'Christiane Amanpour Presents The Ex-Files' with her former husband. Amanpour is renowned for her courageous reporting from conflict zones and in-depth interviews with global leaders, making her a significant voice in international news.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

January 1958: Christiane Amanpour Born

In January 1958, Christiane Maria Heideh Amanpour was born. She is a British-Iranian journalist and television host, currently serving as the Chief International Anchor for CNN and hosting programs on CNN International and PBS.

Others born on this day/year

1979: Family Lost Fortune and Moved to US

In 1979, Christiane Amanpour's father lost his job and fortune following the Iranian Revolution. After she had completed her primary education, her parents sent her to private boarding schools in England. Later, due to the Iranian Revolution, she and her family moved to the United States.

1979: Relative by Marriage Lost Life

In 1979, Commander-General Nader Jahanbani, a relative by marriage of Christiane Amanpour's, was executed by the Islamic Revolutionaries.

1979: Family Moved to the United States

In 1979, due to the Iranian Revolution, Christiane Amanpour and her family moved to the United States. She then studied journalism at the University of Rhode Island. During her time there, she worked in the news department at WBRU-FM and as an electronic graphics designer for NBC affiliate WJAR in Providence.

1983: Graduated from University

In 1983, Christiane Amanpour graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Rhode Island, marking an important milestone in her education and career.

1983: Hired by CNN

In 1983, Christiane Amanpour was hired by CNN as an entry-level desk assistant in Atlanta, Georgia, marking the beginning of her prominent career in journalism.

1986: Covered the Fall of European Communism

In 1986, Christiane Amanpour was transferred to Eastern Europe to report on the fall of European communism, representing a significant assignment early in her career.

1989: Reported on Democratic Revolutions

In 1989, Christiane Amanpour was assigned to work in Frankfurt am Main, West Germany, where she reported on the democratic revolutions sweeping Eastern Europe, enhancing her international reporting experience.

1990: Served as CNN Correspondent in New York

By 1990, Christiane Amanpour served as a correspondent for CNN's New York bureau, further advancing her career in broadcast journalism.

1990: Reports on the Persian Gulf War

In 1990, Christiane Amanpour's reports of the Persian Gulf War brought her wide notice. Thereafter, she reported from the Bosnian war and other conflict zones.

1992: Named CNN's Chief International Correspondent

From 1992, Christiane Amanpour held the position of CNN's chief international correspondent, marking a significant achievement in her career.

1993: Received Peabody Award

In 1993, Christiane Amanpour was awarded a Peabody Award recognizing her excellence in journalism.

October 1994: Criticism of Bosnian War Coverage

In October 1994, Stephen Kinzer of The New York Times criticized Christiane Amanpour's general coverage of the Bosnian War.

1995: Interviewed First Iranian President

Since 1995, Christiane Amanpour has interviewed every Iranian president either inside or outside of Iran without ever being asked to wear a head scarf until the incident in September 2022.

1996: Special Contributor for 60 Minutes

From 1996, Christiane Amanpour was contracted by 60 Minutes to file in-depth international news reports annually as a special contributor, showcasing her expertise in international journalism.

August 1998: Married Phillip James Rubin

On August 9, 1998, Christiane Amanpour married Phillip James Rubin at the Roman Catholic parish of Saint Stephen in Bracciano, Italy. He is of Jewish-American descent and a former United States Assistant Secretary of State.

1998: Received Peabody Award

In 1998, Christiane Amanpour was awarded a Peabody Award for her contributions as a special contributor on 60 Minutes, recognizing her excellence in journalism.

March 2000: Birth of Son

On March 27, 2000, Christiane Amanpour gave birth to their only son in Columbia Hospital for Women, marking a significant personal event in her life.

2003: Lowest Ratings for This Week Since 2003

During her first two months as host, in 2011, the ratings for This Week reached their lowest point since 2003, presenting a challenge during her time at ABC News.

2005: Contract Terminated by 60 Minutes

In 2005, Jeff Fager, the successor to Don Hewitt, terminated Christiane Amanpour's contract with 60 Minutes, ending her tenure as a special contributor.

October 2007: Awarded Commander Badge of the Order of the British Empire

On October 23, 2007, Christiane Amanpour received the Commander badge (No. 3) of the Order of the British Empire for her journalism work, marking a significant honor for her contributions to the field.

July 2009: Featured in Harper's Bazaar Magazine

In July 2009, Christiane Amanpour appeared in a Harper's Bazaar magazine article entitled "Christiane Amanpour Gets a High-Fashion Makeover", showcasing a different aspect of her public image.

2009: Anchor of CNN Interview Program

From 2009, Christiane Amanpour was the anchor of Amanpour, a daily CNN interview program, highlighting her role as a leading interviewer and journalist.

March 2010: Announced Departure from CNN

On March 18, 2010, Christiane Amanpour announced that she would be leaving CNN to join ABC News as the anchor of This Week, marking a significant transition in her career.

August 2010: Hosted First Broadcast on ABC News

On August 1, 2010, Christiane Amanpour hosted her first broadcast on ABC News' This Week, officially beginning her tenure as anchor.

2010: Moved to New York City

In 2010, Christiane Amanpour and her family, who had been living in London since 2000, moved to New York City, where they rented an apartment in Manhattan's Upper West Side.

2010: End of CNN Interview Program and Chief International Correspondent role

In 2010, Christiane Amanpour's daily CNN interview program, Amanpour, ended, and she also concluded her role as CNN's chief international correspondent.

February 2011: Interviewed Muammar Gaddafi and Sons

On February 28, 2011, Christiane Amanpour interviewed Muammar Gaddafi and his sons Saif al-Islam and Al-Saadi Gaddafi, which was a notable interview during her time at ABC News.

December 2011: Announced Departure from ABC News

On December 13, 2011, ABC announced that Christiane Amanpour would be leaving her post as anchor of ABC News' This Week on January 8, 2012, and returning to CNN International.

December 2011: Announcement of Unique Arrangement with CNN

On December 14, 2011, it was announced that in a "unique arrangement", Christiane Amanpour would begin hosting a program on CNN International in 2012 while continuing at ABC News as a global affairs anchor.

January 2012: Departure from ABC News' This Week

On January 8, 2012, Christiane Amanpour officially left her post as anchor of ABC News' This Week, marking the end of her tenure with the network.

2012: CNN International Refresh and Return of Amanpour

In the spring of 2012, CNN International refreshed its line-up, putting the interview show Amanpour back on air, with on-air promotions announcing her return to CNN International on April 16. Her New York-recorded show meant that Piers Morgan Tonight would be moved in the schedule.

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2012: To Host Program on CNN International

It was announced on December 14, 2011, that Christiane Amanpour would begin hosting a program on CNN International in 2012, highlighting her return to the network.

May 2013: Rubin Announced Family Would Return to London

In May 2013, Phillip James Rubin announced that the family would return to London to work on several projects. Later, in October of the same year, Amanpour stated that she and her husband would be relocating to London permanently.

September 2013: Show Moved to London

On September 9, 2013, Christiane Amanpour's show and staff were moved to the CNN International office in London, where it is currently being produced and broadcast.

January 2015: Controversial Description of Charlie Hebdo Attackers

On January 7, 2015, Christiane Amanpour referred to the Islamic extremists who murdered the 12 journalists at Charlie Hebdo as "activists" during a "Breaking News" segment on CNN, drawing criticism.

April 2015: Appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

Since April 2015, Christiane Amanpour has served as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Freedom of Expression and journalist safety, signifying her commitment to these causes.

May 2018: Named Permanent Replacement for Charlie Rose on PBS

In May 2018, it was announced that Christiane Amanpour would permanently replace Charlie Rose on PBS after he was fired due to allegations of sexual misconduct. This marked a new phase in her career.

July 2018: Announced Divorce from Phillip James Rubin

In July 2018, Christiane Amanpour and Phillip James Rubin announced they were divorcing, marking a significant change in their personal lives.

September 2018: Premiere of Amanpour & Company on PBS

On September 10, 2018, Christiane Amanpour's new program, Amanpour & Company, premiered on PBS, signifying her continued presence on American television.

January 2019: Presented Fulbright Prize to Angela Merkel

On January 28, 2019, Christiane Amanpour, along with Mary Ellen Schmider and Manfred Philipp, gave the Fulbright Prize for International Understanding to the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

April 2019: Qassemi Claimed Amanpour Uncovered Deception

In April 2019, Saeed Qassemi claimed that Christiane Amanpour had uncovered their deception regarding the participation of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps members in the Bosnian War, disguised as staff of the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

November 2020: Compared Trump Administration to Nazis

On November 12, 2020, Christiane Amanpour compared the Trump administration to the Nazis and Kristallnacht, sparking controversy and calls for an apology from the Israeli government and some Jewish groups.

2020: Broadcast Amanpour & Company from Home in England

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Christiane Amanpour presented her daily program, Amanpour & Company, from her home in England. The program continued to be seen on PBS stations across the US.

June 2021: Diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer

In June 2021, Christiane Amanpour announced that she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, had undergone successful surgery to remove it, and would undergo several months of chemotherapy.

September 2022: Terminated Interview with Iranian President Over Headscarf Demand

In September 2022, Christiane Amanpour terminated a scheduled TV interview with President of Iran Ebrahim Raisi in New York City during the seventy-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly, following a last–minute demand that she wear a Chador headscarf while filming. Amanpour refused to comply with this "unprecedented and unexpected condition."

April 2023: Misspoke About Israeli Shooting Victims

In April 2023, Christiane Amanpour misspoke, saying that Israeli shooting victims Lucy, Maia and Rina Dee had been killed in a "shootout" instead of a "shooting." She later apologized to the father of the family and on her show.