If we need to contact you, we will contact you on this email.
Your name please so that we can credit your work.
Birth and Early Life
Ali Velshi is a Canadian journalist and television host, born on October 29, 1969, in Nairobi, Kenya. He was raised in Toronto, Ontario, where he developed an early interest in media and public affairs. Velshi attended Northern Secondary School in Toronto before pursuing higher education.
He earned a degree in religious studies from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, graduating in 1994. During his time at Queen’s University, Velshi was active in campus journalism and publicly opposed the policies of Preston Manning and the Reform Party of Canada. Recognizing his contributions as an alumnus, Queen’s University honored him with the Queen’s University Alumni Achievement Award in 2010 and later awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Laws.
Ali Velshi is the son of Murad Velshi, a businessman and former Ontario legislator who was the first Canadian of Indian origin elected to the Ontario Legislative Assembly. His mother, Mila, was raised in South Africa. Velshi was briefly married in his twenties; the marriage ended in divorce. In 2009, he married Lori Wachs, a hedge fund manager and the former president of Philadelphia-based Cross Ledge Investments. The couple met when Wachs appeared as a guest on Velshi’s show. According to MarriedBiography.com, the couple shares three children and has built a stable family life together.
Velshi began his journalism career in Canada, working as a General Assignment reporter at CFTO in Toronto. He was later promoted to business reporter for CablePulse 24. In 1999, he joined Report on Business Television—now known as BNN Bloomberg—Canada’s premiere all-business news channel, where he hosted the prime-time program The Business News.
In 1996, Velshi was awarded a fellowship by the American Political Science Association, enabling him to work with U.S. Congressman Lee H. Hamilton of Indiana. This experience expanded his understanding of American politics and laid the groundwork for his transition to American television journalism.
Velshi joined CNNfn in September 2001 and anchored several programs, including Your Money, Business Unusual, Street Sweep, and The Money Gang. After CNNfn shut down in 2004, Velshi moved to CNN proper, taking on roles including co-anchor of American Morning and a contributor to The Situation Room.
In 2005, he hosted the reality series The Turnaround, where he traveled across the U.S. to help struggling small businesses by connecting them with high-profile mentors. During the 2008 financial crisis, Velshi gained significant airtime and attention due to his expertise in financial matters. His show Your Money became a go-to source for economic insights, and he also provided live, on-the-ground reporting during major global events such as the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and Hurricane Ike.
[page-break]
In 2008, Velshi traveled across the United States on the CNN Election Express to talk to Americans about their financial concerns. His reporting for CNN extended beyond business; he hosted Energy Hunt, a special series that examined global energy resources, beginning in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and continuing through Canada's oil sands.
As a practicing Muslim, Velshi has spoken publicly about issues affecting the Muslim community in North America. He has advocated for religious freedom and expressed support for building an Islamic center near Ground Zero in New York City. In a 2011 CNN broadcast, Velshi affirmed his support for the separation of religion and state and voiced opposition to the imposition of Shariah law in the United States, criticizing the rise of so-called "Political Islam."
In 2013, Velshi left CNN to join Al Jazeera America, where he anchored Real Money with Ali Velshi. Initially a weekly show, it became a daily program in August 2013. In 2015, the show was rebranded as Ali Velshi on Target. Despite its focus on in-depth reporting and public interest topics, Al Jazeera America ceased operations in April 2016, concluding Velshi's tenure there.
Velshi joined MSNBC in October 2016, taking on the role of Chief Business Correspondent. He also co-anchored Velshi & Ruhle alongside Stephanie Ruhle. Known for his ability to explain complex financial and economic matters, Velshi has become a trusted voice in political and business journalism on both MSNBC and NBC News platforms.
Ali Velshi is the author of two books: Gimme My Money Back: Your Guide to Beating the Financial Crisis and How to Speak Money: The Language & Knowledge You Need Now. Both books reflect his commitment to financial literacy and offer practical advice to help readers navigate economic challenges.
Source you received the information from. eg. personal experiences, acquaintances, web-links, etc
Briefly describe the changes you made.