Clarissa Ward: An inside look at the acclaimed CNN correspondent’s story
Clarissa Ward is one of CNN’s most respected international correspondents. Based in London, she has reported from some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. Over her 15-year career, Clarissa has worked with Fox, CBS, and ABC. She speaks seven languages, including Arabic and Russian. Have a look at her life.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Profile summary
- Clarissa Ward's life
- Has Clarissa Ward suffered any injury recently?
- Does Clarissa Ward speak Arabic?
- Does Clarissa Ward speak Russian?
- Was Clarissa Ward held captive?
Key takeaways
- Clarissa Ward has built her career reporting from global conflict zones, earning recognition for her fearless journalism.
- She has received multiple prestigious awards, including Emmys and Peabody Awards, for excellence in international reporting.
- Ward balances her demanding career with family life, raising three children with her husband, Philipp von Bernstorff.
Profile summary
Full name | Clarissa Ward |
Gender | Female |
Date of birth | January 31 1980 |
Age | 45 years (2025) |
Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
Place of birth | London, England |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | British American |
Languages | English, French, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese |
Years active | 2003-present |
Marital status | Married |
Spouse | Philipp von Bernstorff |
Children | 3 |
X (Twitter) | |
Eye colour | Light Blue |
Hair colour | Blonde |
Alma mater | Yale University |
Clarissa Ward's life
Clarissa Ward is a British-American journalist and author known for her fearless reporting from war zones and global hotspots. The acclaimed CNN correspondent has received numerous awards for her outstanding work in international journalism. She has built a distinguished career with some of the world’s leading media outlets.
What is Clarissa Ward's age?
She is 45 years old as of 2025. Clarissa was born on 31 January 1980. She grew up in both London and New York.
Clarissa Ward's height
The CNN journalist is 5 feet 11 inches tall; she is a British American and has grey eyes and blonde hair.
What is Clarissa Ward's background?
Clarissa Ward's parents have British and American ancestry. The CNN journalist was born to a British father and an American mother and has British-American ethnicity. Rodney Ward, her father, was a Hong Kong-based investment banker, and her mother is an interior designer.
She spent her childhood in London and New York. Ward attended boarding school in England before later studying at Yale University. Growing up in a multicultural environment helped shape her global outlook and passion for international reporting.
Source: Original
Clarissa Ward's education
She attended the boarding schools Wycombe Abbey and Godstowe in England. Ward later enrolled at Yale University and earned her BA degree in 2002. Middlebury College in Vermont awarded her an honorary degree in 2013.
Career
In 2003, Clarissa Ward began her journalism career at Fox News as a desk assistant. She later became an international desk assistant, gaining early experience in global news coverage. Her time at Fox helped her develop strong skills in international reporting and newsroom operations.
After leaving Fox, she joined ABC News, where she covered major global stories. Ward later moved to CBS News as a foreign correspondent. She reported from conflict zones in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, earning recognition for her fearless reporting and insightful storytelling.
In 2015, Ward joined CNN as a senior international correspondent. Three years later, she was promoted to chief international correspondent. She has covered wars, humanitarian crises, and political unrest across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. In 2019, she became one of the first Western journalists to report from Taliban-controlled areas in Afghanistan.
Source: Getty Images
Beyond her on-screen work, Ward is an accomplished author. Her book On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist tells her story of reporting from some of the world’s most dangerous places. It offers a candid look at the challenges, sacrifices, and purpose behind her global journalism career.
Clarissa Ward's salary and net worth
Clarissa Ward’s exact salary and net worth are not publicly known. Still, her senior position at CNN and long career in global journalism suggest a high income.
Data from Glassdoor shows that senior international correspondents earn between US$200,000 and US$600,000 per year. The amount depends on experience, location, and the risks involved in reporting assignments.
Clarissa Ward's awards
The CNN correspondent has received numerous honours. These include the following.
- Nine Emmy Awards
- Two George Foster Peabody Awards
- Two Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards
- Two Edward R. Murrow Awards for distinguished journalism
- National Press Club’s Fourth Estate Award (2022)
- David Kaplan Award from the Overseas Press Club (2017)
- Excellence in International Reporting Award from the International Center for Journalists
- George Polk Award (2021)
- RTDNA First Amendment Award (2024)
- Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications (2023)
Who is Clarissa Ward married to?
The talented CNN journalist is married to the German Count Philipp von Bernstorff. The two met in Moscow, Russia, in 2007. They exchanged vows in November 2016 in Chelsea Old Town Hall in London. Philipp von Bernstorff is a businessman.
Source: UGC
Does Clarissa Ward have children?
Clarissa Ward and Philipp von Bernstorff have three sons. Their first child, Ezra Albrecht Nikolas Nour, was born in March 2018. Their second son, Caspar Hugo Augustus Idris, was born on June 29, 2020.
The couple welcomed their third child, Inigo Alexander Rumi Grainger “Iggy” von Bernstorff-Wotersen, on May 23, 2023. Clarissa Ward’s kids are often mentioned in interviews where she discusses balancing motherhood with her demanding career as a war correspondent.
What was Clarissa Ward’s son diagnosed with?
Clarissa Ward has shared publicly that her eldest son, Ezra, was diagnosed with ARID1B-related disorder, a rare genetic condition. This disorder can affect development, speech, and learning abilities in children. Ward has spoken openly about the diagnosis to raise awareness and support other families facing similar challenges.
Where does Clarissa Ward live?
The multi-award-winning chief international correspondent for CNN is based in London. Her international assignments allow her to live in many other countries, especially the Middle East.
Has Clarissa Ward suffered any injury recently?
No, there have been no reports of Clarissa Ward sustaining any injury. The CNN chief international correspondent continues her work covering global news without any known health or injury concerns.
Source: Getty Images
Does Clarissa Ward speak Arabic?
Yes, Clarissa Ward does speak Arabic, though not fluently. She speaks it at a conversational level.
Does Clarissa Ward speak Russian?
Yes. the CNN journalist speaks several languages, including Russian, Arabic, French, Italian, and Spanish.
Was Clarissa Ward held captive?
Clarissa Ward was not held captive for an extended period, but she has faced dangerous situations while reporting from war zones.
Clarissa Ward’s career reflects dedication, courage, and excellence in journalism. Her work from the front lines has set new standards for international reporting. As CNN’s chief international correspondent, she continues to inspire with her commitment to truth and storytelling. Clarissa Ward’s story is one of passion, purpose, and global impact.
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