Ben Wedeman: CNN, Age, Salary, Accent, Wife, Children and Net Worth
n’sBen Wedeman – Biography | Wiki
Ben Wedeman is a highly respected American journalist and Senior International Correspondent for CNN, currently based in Rome, Italy. A veteran reporter with the network since 1994, Wedeman is renowned for his fearless frontline reporting in some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. Over the decades, he has earned multiple honors for his work, including Emmy Awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards for team coverage.
Early Career and CNN Journey
Before his tenure at CNN, Wedeman worked from 1988 to 1992 in Aleppo, Syria, as a communications specialist with the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas. His experience in the Middle East and fluency in multiple Arabic dialects laid the groundwork for his journalistic success.
Ben’s career with CNN began modestly in Jordan, where he was hired locally as a fixer, producer, and sound technician. His deep knowledge of the region and linguistic skills quickly propelled him up the ranks. He later served as CNN’s Bureau Chief in Amman, before taking on larger roles in global coverage.
From 1998 to 2006, Wedeman led CNN’s bureau in Cairo, where he covered significant regional events, including the rise of opposition to President Hosni Mubarak. In 2009, he was appointed CNN’s correspondent in Jerusalem, continuing his in-depth reporting on Middle Eastern affairs.
Major Assignments and War Reporting
Ben Wedeman has reported from the epicenters of global conflict, often putting himself at great personal risk to bring stories to light:
October 2000: Shot in the back during a violent clash near the Gaza-Israel border.
2011 Libyan Civil War: Discovered barrels of yellowcake uranium in a warehouse in Sabha, Libya—an alarming find later confirmed by the IAEA.
Post-9/11 Iraq: Among the first Western journalists to enter Iraq, securing a rare interview with Uday Hussein, son of Saddam Hussein.
Covered the wars and unrest in Aleppo, Afghanistan, the Balkans, and several African nations.
In 2022 and 2023, Wedeman reported extensively on the Russia–Ukraine war, offering front-line insights and updates for CNN’s global audience.
Television Appearances
Since 2023, Wedeman has made regular appearances on Che tempo che fa, a widely watched Italian talk show airing on NOVE, a Warner Bros. Discovery network.
Age and Birthday
Ben Wedeman was born on September 1, 1960, in Washington, D.C. He is 64 years old as of 2025 and celebrates his birthday annually on September 1st.
Education
Attended boarding school in Beirut, Lebanon, in the mid-1970s.
Earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Asiatic Languages and Linguistics from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
Holds a Master’s Degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.
Nationality and Ethnicity
Ben is American by nationality and identifies as White. Though born in the United States, he spent much of his youth and professional life immersed in the Middle East.
Height
Ben Wedeman stands at approximately 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 meters) tall. Other physical measurements have not been publicly disclosed.
Family and Early Life
Ben is the son of Miles G. Wedeman, a U.S. diplomat and USAID official, and Martha Jean Wedeman, a former journalist for The Washington Post. His father, born on January 23, 1923, passed away in 2013. Ben was raised in an environment steeped in international affairs, faith (as a devout Quaker), and journalism—elements that would shape his future career.
Ben Wedeman Wife
Wedeman is married to Yasmine Perni, though he remains notably private about his personal life. As a result, little is publicly known about Yasmine, including her profession, age, or whether the couple has any children. Their wedding was a low-key affair and was not publicized, in keeping with Wedeman’s preference to keep his family life out of the spotlight.
Ben Wedeman Children
There is no publicly known information about Ben Wedeman having children. He has not spoken about parenthood in interviews or public appearances, and his social media presence remains strictly professional, centered on global affairs, field reporting, and analysis. Whether or not he has children, he has kept that aspect of his life completely private.
Ben Wedeman Religion
Ben Wedeman is a devout Quaker, a branch of Christianity known for its emphasis on peace, simplicity, integrity, and community. This spiritual background may seem paradoxical considering his career in conflict reporting, but it adds a powerful layer to his journalistic approach—focusing on truth-telling, bearing witness, and giving a voice to those caught in the crossfire of war. His moral compass and quiet composure in the field reflect many of the values associated with Quakerism.
Ben Wedeman CNN
Ben Wedeman is a longtime senior international correspondent for CNN, having joined the network in 1994. Based in Rome, Wedeman has built a formidable reputation for his in-depth and courageous reporting from war zones and conflict-ridden regions around the globe. His journey with CNN began in Jordan, where he started as a local hire, serving as a fixer, sound technician, and producer—roles that capitalized on his fluency in Arabic and deep cultural knowledge. Over the years, he ascended to key roles, including Bureau Chief in Amman and Cairo, and later served in Jerusalem. His coverage includes the Arab Spring, the Iraq War, the Libyan Civil War, and more recently, the Russia–Ukraine war. Wedeman has received multiple Emmy Awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards for his frontline journalism.
Ben Wedeman Accent
Ben Wedeman is known for his clear and articulate speaking style with a neutral American accent, though some viewers detect subtle international inflections, likely a result of his multicultural upbringing and years spent living and working in the Middle East and Europe. His fluency in Arabic (several dialects) and long exposure to different cultures may also influence the rhythm and cadence of his speech, making his accent uniquely refined yet distinctly American.
Salary and Net Worth
Estimated Annual Salary: $130,000 (as of 2025)
Estimated Net Worth: $3 million, primarily accumulated through his long-standing career in journalism.
