Amna Nawaz Biography
Amna Nawaz, an award-winning journalist, anchor, and correspondent now working as co-anchor of PBS NewsHour. Additionally, she also works as an NBC News and MSNBC contributor.
- Age
Amna Nawaz was born on September 18, 1979, in Virginia, United States. Now, she is 44 years old. She is of American and Pakistani nationality.
- Education
Amna Nawaz received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and studied abroad at the University of Zimbabwe. She later received her master’s degree from the London School of Economics.
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- Wife
Amna Nawaz married Paul Werdel for 17 years. The two got married in 2007. Now, she resides with her husband, Paul, and their two daughters in the Washington, D.C. area.
Amna Nawaz PBS NewsHour
Amna Nawaz currently holds the position of co-anchor at PBS NewsHour. Her association with PBS NewsHour began in April 2018, marking a pivotal point in her journalistic career. Before this, Nawaz showcased her talents as an anchor and correspondent at ABC News. She played a key role in anchoring breaking news at ABC News and spearheaded the network’s livestream coverage during the 2016 presidential election.
Before her stint at ABC News, Nawaz served as the foreign correspondent and Islamabad Bureau Chief at NBC News. She is also recognized as the founder and former managing editor of NBC’s Asian America platform, established in 2014 to amplify stories from America’s rapidly growing and diverse population.
Within the NewsHour domain, Nawaz has covered diverse subjects such as politics, immigration, foreign affairs, education, gun violence, criminal justice reform, climate issues, cultural matters, and sports. In addition to her role at PBS NewsHour, Nawaz contributes as a correspondent to NBC News and MSNBC.
Throughout her illustrious career, Nawaz has reported from significant locations such as the White House, various parts of the United States, and global settings. Her coverage has spanned major events, including the January 6th attacks on the U.S. Capitol, the tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and pivotal political moments like the elections and inaugurations of Presidents Joe Biden, Donald J. Trump, and Barack Obama.
She has also reported on impactful incidents like Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the U.S. war in Afghanistan, and the September 11th attacks.
Amna Nawaz Wikipedia
Nawaz has conducted interviews with several heads of state and international leaders, including Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
Her interviews extend to numerous lawmakers and administration officials, such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Nawaz has also engaged with prominent figures across various industries, including renowned director Ava Duvernay, actor Riz Ahmed, WNBA star Sue Bird, and country singer Reba McEntire.
Amna Nawaz’s commitment to journalism has been recognized with prestigious accolades. She was a crucial member of NewsHour’s team that received a Peabody Award in 2023 for their coverage of the gun violence epidemic in America.
This recognition included Nawaz’s on-the-ground reporting of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Additionally, she was part of the team honored with a Peabody Award in 2022 for NewsHour’s comprehensive coverage of the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Amna Nawaz gained recognition for her impactful documentary work, earning a Peabody Award for her 2019 production, “The Plastic Problem,” which delved into the global issue of plastic pollution and the initiatives aimed at tackling it.
Amna Nawaz Career
Her documentary portfolio extends to include “Raising the Future,” a 2021 exploration of America’s childcare crisis, and “Life After Lockup,” a 2022 piece that traced the re-entry challenges faced by four individuals after incarceration.
In 2020, Nawaz took the helm of the criminal justice podcast, “Broken Justice,” a finalist for the Silver Gavel Awards, which commend contributions fostering public understanding of law and the legal system. She also hosted the 2021 podcast series, “The Longest Year,” focusing on the varied ways in which Covid-19 transformed the lives of Americans.
Nawaz has showcased her hosting prowess in the primetime PBS series, “Beyond the Canvas,” spanning three seasons. The series features profiles and interviews with some of the world’s foremost artists, musicians, and creators.
In a groundbreaking achievement, Nawaz became the first Asian American and the first Muslim American to moderate a presidential debate in 2019. During her tenure at ABC News, she hosted the documentary “Roberts County: A Year in the Most Pro-Trump Town,” chronicling the lives of four families during President Trump’s initial year in office. Additionally, she hosted the podcast series “Uncomfortable” for ABC News Radio, engaging in in-depth conversations with thought leaders on divisive issues in America.
Amna Nawaz Awards
While with NBC News, Nawaz achieved a significant milestone as the first foreign journalist to gain access to North Waziristan, then a global hub for Al Qaeda and the Taliban, all while pregnant with her first daughter.
Further adding to her accomplishments, Nawaz served as a Fall 2021 Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service. She is an active member of notable organizations, including the Council on Foreign Relations, the Asian American Journalists Association, the South Asian Journalists Association, and the Inter-American Dialogue.
Amna Nawaz received several prestigious honors, named an A100 honoree by Gold House in 2023. She was also the recipient of the Vision Award from the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies and the Media Award from the Muslim Affairs Public Council in 2022.
Her contributions to media were acknowledged with the Excellence in Media Award from the American Muslim Institution in 2018. She also earned an Emmy award as part of the 2009 NBC News Special, “Inside the Obama White House.”
Amna Nawaz Salary
Nawaz receives an annual salary ranging from $42,544 – to $90,769. However, details about the exact salary he earns are currently unavailable.
Amna Nawaz’s Net Worth
Amna Nawaz, an award-winning journalist, anchor, and correspondent has an estimated net worth of $2 million.