Ivan Watson CNN, Biography, Wiki, Age, Height, Wife, Family and More
Who is Ivan Watson? | Biography & Wiki
Ivan Watson is an esteemed American journalist currently serving as CNN’s Senior International Correspondent, based in Hong Kong. He has gained widespread recognition for his in-depth coverage of major global events, including the Hong Kong Umbrella Movement, the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and the Arab Spring. Over the course of his career, Ivan has earned numerous accolades for his reporting and has spent the last six years covering significant developments across Hong Kong and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
How Old is Ivan Watson? | Age & Birthday
As of 2025, Ivan Watson is 49 years old. He was born on November 25, 1975, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He celebrates his birthday every year on November 25.
Education
Ivan Watson attended Brown University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations.
Nationality and Ethnicity
Ivan Watson holds American nationality and was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He is of white ethnicity and has a Russian Orthodox heritage.
Height and Physical Appearance
Ivan stands approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall (around 1.7 meters). He has an average build, although specific details regarding his other physical measurements are not publicly available.
Family | Parents and Early Life
Born in Atlanta, Ivan was raised in a supportive household with a Russian Orthodox background. Despite his public career, he has chosen to keep his family life private, and details about his parents or possible siblings have not been disclosed.
Is Ivan Watson Married? | Wife & Wedding
Yes, Ivan Watson is married. His wife, Rana Wehbe, is a senior editor at Forbes. The couple reportedly held their wedding ceremony in a private local setting. However, Ivan tends to keep his personal life out of the spotlight, and additional information about their relationship remains private.
Career at CNN
Before relocating to Hong Kong in 2014, Ivan was based in Istanbul for 12 years, where he covered pivotal stories such as the rise of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Gezi Park protests. He also closely followed Turkey’s evolving role in the Syrian civil war and documented the refugee crisis as people fled into Turkey from neighboring conflict zones.
In Iraq, Ivan reported extensively on the ethnic and religious persecution of minority groups like the Yazidis and Christians by ISIS.
Before joining CNN, Ivan was a correspondent for NPR, where he spent eight years covering major global stories in Central Asia, the Middle East, and West Africa. His notable work included reporting on the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq and the 2001 U.S.-led overthrow of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Salary | How Much Does Ivan Watson Earn?
As a senior correspondent for CNN, Ivan earns a respectable income. His estimated annual salary is approximately $130,000 as of 2025.
Net Worth
With more than two decades in international journalism, Ivan Watson has built a solid professional reputation and financial standing. His estimated net worth is $3 million as of 2025.
