Clarissa Ward: CNN's War Correspondent | Biography & Facts

By Heber LeschMay 03, 2025

Can a journalist truly witness and convey the realities of war, conflict, and humanitarian crises while remaining objective and impartial? Clarissa Ward, CNN's chief international correspondent, has spent two decades navigating the world's most perilous environments, offering a resounding yes to this complex question.

Ward's career is a testament to unwavering dedication and courage, taking her from the front lines of Syria and Iraq to the heart of Afghanistan and Ukraine. Through her reporting, she has provided unparalleled insights into global events, earning her a reputation as one of the most respected and trusted voices in international journalism. Her work, however, extends beyond mere reporting; it is about bearing witness, giving a voice to the voiceless, and shedding light on the human cost of conflict.

Category	Details
Full Name	Clarissa Ward
Date of Birth	January 30, 1980
Place of Birth	London, England
Nationality	British
Education	Yale University (BA, 2003)
Marital Status	Married to Philipp von Bernstorff
Children	Three
Awards	Peabody Award, multiple Murrow Awards, multiple Emmy Awards
Current Role	CNN Chief International Correspondent
Previous Employers	Fox News, ABC News, CBS News
Notable Work	Reporting from war zones in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and other conflict areas; Author of "On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist."
Net Worth	Not Publicly Available
Salary	Not Publicly Available
Official Website	CNN Profile

The path to becoming a renowned international correspondent wasn't a straight one for Ward. The events of 9/11 served as a pivotal moment, shaping her career trajectory. The attacks spurred her to pursue journalism, leading her to begin her professional journey in 2003 as an overnight desk deputy at Fox News. Within four years, her ambition and talent propelled her to a correspondent role with ABC News, based in Moscow, Russia, in 2007. This experience provided her with a crucial foundation in foreign reporting, laying the groundwork for her future assignments.

Ward's experiences have been marked by moments of both incredible danger and remarkable resilience. She has faced threats to her safety, including being detained by a Sudanese militia in Darfur, along with her crew, for two days on suspicion of spying. Such experiences highlight the perils faced by journalists covering conflicts and humanitarian crises, underlining their commitment to informing the world despite personal risk.

Her coverage of the Syrian conflict stands out as a defining element of her career. Ward has reported extensively from the front lines, providing critical insights into the human suffering caused by the war. She has interviewed members of various factions, including the Taliban, seeking to understand the complexities of the conflict and its impact on civilians. In one particularly notable report, she recounted the moment when she and her team, along with a security guard from the rebel forces, captured the moment a Syrian prisoner was discovered and freed after being held in a windowless cell for three months.

Ward's work inside Syrias infamous Saydnaya military prison, a place described by human rights advocates as a "human slaughterhouse," also brought the worlds attention to the atrocities committed there. In a report that aired on CNN, Ward was granted access to the prison, providing a rare glimpse into the conditions faced by tens of thousands of prisoners.

However, Ward's career has also faced scrutiny. In one instance, CNN launched an investigation into the identity of a man the network filmed being "rescued" from an Assad regime prison. Subsequent reports indicated that the purported prisoner was, in fact, a member of a Syrian group. This incident led to criticism on social media, with many questioning the vetting process.

Despite such incidents, Ward's dedication and contributions have been widely acknowledged. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including Peabody, Murrow, and Emmy Awards, recognizing her excellence in journalism. Her book, "On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist," further solidifies her position as a leading voice in the field, offering readers a glimpse into the challenges and rewards of international reporting.

Ward has been a consistent presence on the front lines of many major conflicts, including those in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Ukraine, reporting for CNN, ABC, CBS, and Fox News. In the wake of the war in Ukraine, Ward's reporting has provided valuable coverage, focusing on the human cost of the conflict and the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

In nearly twenty years as a journalist, she has witnessed and documented some of the most extraordinary moments. Her ability to tell these stories, her courage, and her dedication have made her a leading voice in international reporting.

Ward's work in the field has not been limited to war zones. She has also reported on humanitarian crises, including the devastating situation in Darfur, where she and her crew were detained for two days by a Sudanese militia. She has consistently sought to understand the complex issues driving conflict and its consequences for ordinary people. Her fluency in multiple languages, including Arabic, French, and Italian, has enhanced her ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Wards career shows how important it is to bring the events happening in the world to the people. Ward showed her readers what the reality looks like in war, conflict and human rights.

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