History of Yalda Hakim in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 8, 2025

Yalda Hakim is an Australian broadcast journalist and documentary maker currently serving as Lead World News presenter for Sky News. Previously, she was a chief presenter at BBC News. Her family fled Afghanistan in 1986, finding refuge in Australia. She grew up in Parramatta, a suburb of western Sydney, and pursued a career in journalism. She began at SBS Television before joining BBC TV in 2012, and ultimately transitioned to Sky News in July 2023.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

June 1983: Yalda Hakim Born

In June 1983, Yalda Hakim was born.

Others born on this day/year

1986: Hakim's Family Settled in Australia

In 1986, Yalda Hakim's family settled in Australia after leaving Afghanistan.

2002: Started Bachelor of Arts Degree

In 2002, Hakim began studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media at Macquarie University.

2004: Completed Bachelor of Arts Degree

In 2004, Hakim completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Media from Macquarie University, where she was also a board member of the Macquarie University Union.

2005: Received Diploma in Journalism

In 2005, Hakim received a Diploma in Journalism at Macleay College, Sydney.

2007: Started Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

In 2007, Hakim began studying a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism via distance education at Monash University, while also doing a cadetship at the Special Broadcasting Service.

2008: First Dateline Report from Kabul

In 2008, Hakim returned to Kabul for her first Dateline report, and from then on, reported from across the world for Dateline and SBS World News Australia.

2009: Completed Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

In 2009, Hakim completed her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism via distance education at Monash University.

2009: Awarded United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Prize

In 2009, Yalda Hakim was awarded the United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Prize for best Australian Television News Coverage. She was also a finalist for the Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year Award.

2011: Co-hosted Dateline

In 2011, Hakim began co-hosting Dateline with Mark Davis, taking turns to present the program in six-week blocks.

April 2012: Talks with BBC Executives

In April 2012, Hakim had been in talks with BBC executives after being approached at a broadcasting conference in Brisbane.

December 2012: Announcement of Joining BBC

In December 2012, it was announced that Yalda Hakim would join the BBC.

2012: Hakim Moved to BBC TV

In 2012, Yalda Hakim moved to BBC TV after starting her career at SBS Television.

March 2013: First Appearance on BBC World News

In March 2013, Yalda Hakim first appeared on BBC World News and the BBC News Channel.

October 2013: Interview with Hamid Karzai

In October 2013, Yalda Hakim interviewed Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan, for Newsnight.

March 2014: Appearances on Impact

Since March 2014, Yalda Hakim has made several appearances as a presenter on Impact, eventually becoming the programme's main presenter later that year.

2018: Yalda Hakim Foundation Established

In 2018, The Yalda Hakim Foundation (YHF) was established to support the education of exceptionally talented young women from Afghanistan.

2019: Scholarship Program at American University of Afghanistan

In 2019, the Yalda Hakim Foundation offered a full four-year scholarship program at the American University of Afghanistan.

2021: Nomination for Peabody Award

In 2021, Yalda Hakim was nominated for a Peabody Award for her writing and reporting contribution on Afghanistan: Documenting A Crucial Year.

2021: Partnership with Oriel College at Oxford University

In 2021, the Yalda Hakim Foundation partnered with Oriel College at Oxford University to provide a fully-funded one-year masters degree course for a young Afghan woman.

September 2022: Tweeted premature announcement of Queen Elizabeth II's Death

On 8 September 2022, Hakim tweeted that Buckingham Palace had announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II prematurely, and later withdrew the tweet.

2022: Learning Mandarin

As of 2022, Hakim was learning Mandarin, in addition to being fluent in English, Dari, Urdu, Hindi, Persian, and Pashto.

February 2023: Announcement as Chief Presenter

In February 2023, it was announced that Yalda Hakim would become a chief presenter on the BBC’s new news channel for both UK and international viewers.

April 2023: Launch of BBC News Channel

In April 2023, the BBC's new news channel, where Yalda Hakim was a chief presenter, was launched for both UK and international viewers.

July 2023: Hakim joined Sky News

In July 2023, Yalda Hakim left the BBC to join Sky News as their lead world news presenter.

July 2023: Hakim Announced Departure from BBC

On 27 July 2023, Hakim tweeted that she was leaving the BBC to join Sky News.

October 2023: Final programme for BBC News

On 2 October 2023, Yalda Hakim presented her final programme for BBC News. She presented The Daily Global for two hours every weekday, a show focused on a variety of international news.