Childhood and Education Journey of Fareed Zakaria in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Fareed Zakaria. From birth to education, explore key events.

Fareed Zakaria is an influential Indian-American journalist, political commentator, and author. He hosts CNN's *Fareed Zakaria GPS* and is a weekly columnist for *The Washington Post*. His extensive career includes roles such as columnist for *Newsweek*, editor of *Newsweek International*, and editor-at-large for *Time*. Zakaria is known for his insights on global affairs, international relations, and American foreign policy, making him a prominent voice in contemporary political discourse.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1920: Birth of Rafiq Zakaria

In 1920, Rafiq Zakaria, Fareed Zakaria's father, was born. He was a politician associated with the Indian National Congress and a scholar interested in Islam.

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1936: Birth of Fatima Zakaria

In 1936, Fatima Zakaria, Fareed Zakaria's mother, was born. She was the editor of the Sunday Times of India for a time.

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January 20, 1964: Fareed Zakaria Born

On January 20, 1964, Fareed Rafiq Zakaria was born in India. He later became an American journalist, political commentator, and author.

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1986: Zakaria Graduates from Yale

In 1986, Zakaria graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University, where he was president of the Yale Political Union and editor in chief of the Yale Political Monthly.

1993: Zakaria Earns PhD from Harvard

In 1993, Zakaria earned a PhD in government from Harvard University, where he studied under Samuel P. Huntington and Stanley Hoffmann.

1997: Marriage to Paula Throckmorton

In 1997, Fareed Zakaria married Paula Throckmorton, a jewelry designer, and they have three children.

November 29, 2001: Attended Meeting on Middle East Analysis

On November 29, 2001, Fareed Zakaria attended a meeting of Middle East analysts convened by Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, which later contributed to a report supporting the invasion of Iraq, although Zakaria stated he only attended a "brainstorming session".

2003: George Stephanopoulos Comments on Zakaria

In 2003, George Stephanopoulos commented that Fareed Zakaria is well-versed in politics and difficult to categorize politically.

February 2008: Zakaria on Conservatism

In February 2008, Fareed Zakaria wrote that conservatism became powerful by proposing solutions appropriate to the problems of the age, but a new world requires new thinking.

2008: Endorses Barack Obama

Before the 2008 U.S. presidential election, Fareed Zakaria endorsed Barack Obama on his CNN program.

January 2009: Zakaria Listed as Influential Liberal

In January 2009, Forbes referred to Fareed Zakaria as one of the 25 most influential liberals in the American media.

2010: Zakaria as Spokesman

In 2010, Leon Wieseltier described Fareed Zakaria as a "consummate spokesman" for the Obama White House's approach to foreign policy, criticizing the impatience with democracy and human rights as central objectives.

May 2011: Obama Consults Zakaria on Middle East Issues

In May 2011, The New York Times reported that President Obama had consulted Fareed Zakaria, among other journalists, on Middle East issues.

April 2017: Supported U.S. Missile Strike in Syria

In April 2017, Fareed Zakaria supported the U.S. missile strike against a Syrian government-controlled airbase, saying it was the moment President Donald Trump "became president of the United States."

July 2018: Divorce Filing

In July 2018, Fareed Zakaria's wife, Paula Throckmorton, filed for divorce.

July 2020: Signer of Harper's Letter

In July 2020, Fareed Zakaria was one of the 153 signers of the "Harper's Letter", which expressed concern about the constriction of free exchange of information and ideas.

March 2021: Criticizes U.S. Military Budget

In March 2021, Fareed Zakaria criticized the size of the U.S. military budget, comparing the cost of the F-35 fighter jet program to China's Belt and Road Initiative.

July 2022: Democrats Need to Become the Party of Building Things

In July 2022, Fareed Zakaria wrote a Washington Post article titled "Forget pronouns. Democrats need to become the party of building things", arguing that the Democratic Party needs to focus on practical governance and infrastructure over cultural issues.