Amna Nawaz Bio
Amna Nawaz is a multi-award-winning American television journalist and news anchor. She serves as the Co-Anchor of the PBS News Hour. She leads the network’s flagship nightly newscast alongside Geoff Bennett. Nawaz made media history by becoming the first Asian American and Muslim American to anchor a nationally broadcast nightly news program in the United States. She has built a stellar national reputation for her sharp, empathetic, and objective approach to political analysis and international crisis reporting.
Nawaz’s distinguished journalism career spans over two decades of high-stakes global assignments. She previously worked at ABC News, serving as an anchor and national correspondent. Before that, she spent several years at NBC News, working as the bureau chief and correspondent in Islamabad, Pakistan. She has also reported on the ground from across the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. She has covered major historic milestones throughout her career. These include the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the election of multiple U.S. presidents, and the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.
She also made history by becoming the first Asian-American journalist to moderate a presidential debate during the 2020 Democratic primary cycle. Her exceptional field journalism and studio anchoring have earned immense critical acclaim. She has won multiple Emmy Awards, a prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, and a Society of Professional Journalists Award.
Nawaz discovered her deep passion for storytelling and international affairs during her youth. She pursued her higher education at the University of Pennsylvania. She was a highly competitive student athlete, playing varsity field hockey for the university team. Amna graduated from the institution with a Bachelor’s degree in English literature in 2001. She finalized her advanced academic training in the United Kingdom. She earned a Master’s degree in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics.
Amna Nawaz Age
How old is Amna Nawaz? Nawaz was born on September 18, 1979, in Virginia. She is 46 years old as of mid-2026. She celebrates her birthday on the 18th of September every year alongside close family and newsroom peers.
Amna Nawaz Family
Amna was born and raised in Virginia, growing up in a supportive, intellectually stimulating household. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Pakistan and heavily prioritized education. Her father is Shuja Nawaz, a highly distinguished author, journalist, and international security analyst who formerly directed the South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council. In addition, her mother provided a deeply structured upbringing that backed Amna’s early writing and athletic ambitions. She was raised in a close-knit family environment alongside two sisters. Her parents heavily encouraged all three siblings to remain curious about global affairs.
Amna Nawaz’s Husband
Nawaz is married to her husband, Paul Werdel. He is also a highly accomplished media executive and journalist who previously worked as a product director for The New York Times. The couple celebrated their official wedding ceremony in 2007. They share a deeply loving and stable marriage spanning nearly two decades. Together, they have two children. They have two daughters named Amaya and Inaya. The family resides together in their primary home in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, along with their rescue dog. [17, 18]
Amna Nawaz’s Height
Nawaz stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 7 inches.
Amna Nawaz Net Worth
Nawaz has an estimated net worth of between $1 million and $3 million as of 2026. This financial standing is built entirely upon her elite, 20-year career in national broadcast journalism. This includes her anchoring contracts with NBC, ABC, and her primary lead co-anchor contract with PBS. [19, 20, 21]
Amna Nawaz’s Salary
Nawaz receives an estimated annual salary ranging from $150,000 to $250,000. This scale aligns with public broadcasting network standards for primary flagship news anchors and chief international correspondents operating within a major national media hub like Washington, D.C.
