Amanpour began her primary education in Tehran. At the age of 11, she was sent to England to continue her studies. She attended Holy Cross Convent School and later New Hall School in Chelmsford. Following the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq War and the growing instability in Iran, her family decided to relocate permanently to England.

For higher education, Amanpour moved to the United States and enrolled at the University of Rhode Island, where she majored in journalism. During her college years, she gained practical experience by working with WJAR, a local NBC affiliate, and WBRU-FM radio.

Journalism Career at CNN

After graduating in 1983, Amanpour began her professional journalism career at CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, starting as an entry-level desk assistant. Her strong work ethic and international background soon led to a promotion as a foreign correspondent. Her first major assignment was covering the Iran-Iraq War, a subject to which she brought both personal familiarity and professional insight.

She went on to report on several pivotal global events, including the 1989 democratic revolutions across Eastern Europe. However, the biography’s earlier reference to a 1986 report on the "fall of the European Commission" is factually inaccurate—there was no such event at that time. Instead, Amanpour gained prominence for her coverage of complex international conflicts, including the Gulf War and, most notably, the Bosnian War. During the Bosnian conflict, her balanced, on-the-ground reporting drew both acclaim and criticism, with some alleging bias toward Bosnian Muslims—a claim she has consistently disputed.

Chief International Correspondent and Signature Show

In 1992, Christiane Amanpour was promoted to Chief International Correspondent at CNN. Her fearless reporting from war zones and politically unstable regions earned her global recognition. She interviewed numerous world leaders, including those from conflict-stricken and developing countries such as Somalia and Rwanda. In addition to field reporting, she also began hosting her own interview program, Amanpour, showcasing in-depth conversations with global figures.

Amanpour received numerous accolades for her journalistic excellence, including two Peabody Awards—in 1993 and 1998. These prestigious honors further solidified her reputation as one of the leading journalists of her generation.