Ben Wedeman Biography
Ben Wedeman is an American journalist, as well as a war correspondent who is currently working as the lead correspondent for CNN in Jerusalem. He was based in Jerusalem in 2009 but joined the CNN network in 1994. In addition, Ben spent most of his childhood outside the United States which was after relocating with his family to South Korea in 1968. During the Cambodian Civil War, they moved to Bangkok and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Ben went to boarding schools in Beirut, Lebanon in 1974. Unfortunately, the civil war broke out one year later in 1975. In 1982, he graduated from the University of Texas. In addition, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Asiatic Languages and Linguistics from the University of London’s Schools of Oriental and African Studies. He also earned a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies.
Following his career journey, he worked for ICARDA in the STIP department as The Day press release auditor from 1988 to 1992. Originally, he worked for CNN as a local Jordanian employee 1994. He worked as a producer and sound technician and his main role was assisting staff get through checkpoints because he is fluent in Arabic.
Later on, he received a promotion to be the station’s Bureau Chief in Amman. From 1998 he was the station’s bureau chief in Cairo up to 2006. While in Cairo, he covered the uprising against Hosni Mubarak (former President) and the wider unrest in the Middle East for the CNN team.
In 2009, CNN appointed him as their bureau’s correspondent in Jerusalem. Following the September 11 attack, he was among the first journalists to gain access to Iraq before Iraq War. In addition, he was the only Western journalist granted permission for an interview with Uday Hussein. In August 2011, he was in Sabah, reporting the 2011 civil war that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi.
Ben Wedeman Age
How old is Ben Wedeman? Weideman is 63 years old as of 2023. He was born on September 1, 1960, in the United States. In addition, he celebrates his birthday on September 1 every year.
Ben Wedeman Height
Wedeman stands at an average height and is of moderate weight. He stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches.
Ben Wedeman Family
Wedeman was born to parents Miles G. Wedeman (father) and Martha Jean Wedeman (mother). His father was a diplomat as a civil servant from Pennsylvania and was also a devout Quaker who served in the Ivory Coast and Syria, working for USAID. However, he died on October 23, 2013. His mother is a former reporter for The Washington Post.
Ben Wedeman Wife
Wedeman has kept his personal life away from the public. For this, not much is known about his relationship status. However, it is known that he is a father of three.
Ben Wedeman Injury
On October 31, 2000, he was hospitalized following a bullet injury in the process of reporting a clash between Israelis and Palestinians that occurred near the Karni border. During the time, the site was a flashpoint in the violence that flared for 34 days in the region. Following this violence, 166 people lost their lives in 34 days. He was among the 49 people injured during the clashes in Gaza and the West Bank. In his statement, he said that the Israeli tanks were lobbing shells down the road pointing to where he and other journalists were located.
Ben Wedeman Net Worth
Wedeman has an estimated net worth of between $1 Million-$5 Million. His income is attributed to his career as a journalist.
Ben Wedeman Salary
Wedeman receives an estimated annual salary of between $20, 000-$100, 000.