Natalie Allen is a prominent anchor for CNN International, where she served as a weekend anchor for CNN Newsroom, typically appearing from Friday to Sunday. Based at the network’s global headquarters in Atlanta, she became known for her in-depth coverage of major international stories. Her reporting included landmark events such as the Ukraine crisis, the death of Nelson Mandela, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, and the civil war in Syria. Allen also contributed as a special correspondent during CNN International's Green Week, focusing on environmental issues.
With more than 25 years of experience in broadcast journalism, Allen has worked with several major news networks, including NBC News, MSNBC, and The Weather Channel. At The Weather Channel, she hosted a weekly news program focusing on environmental topics, interviewing leading figures in climate science and sustainability. During her tenure, she played a key role as an environmental and climate correspondent, bringing attention to urgent global issues related to climate change.
During the 1990s, Allen covered major breaking news events across networks. Notably, she provided live coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing and major trials, including the O.J. Simpson murder trial. She also reported on the lives and legacies of influential figures such as Mother Teresa and Princess Diana, enhancing her profile as a respected journalist during that period.
Natalie Allen was born on August 11, 1962, in Memphis, Tennessee. She earned a bachelor's degree in Radio, Television, and Film from the University of Southern Mississippi, where she studied from 1979 to 1984. She later pursued graduate studies in political science at the University of Memphis from 1986 to 1988. Allen began to build her journalism career in the early 1990s, and between 1992 and 2001, she worked at ESPN. There, her responsibilities extended beyond sports journalism, as she also reported on major national stories such as the Oklahoma City bombing and the 2000 U.S. presidential election.
Allen gained widespread recognition for her anchoring role on CNN Newsroom, starting in 1989. Her return to CNN in 2012 marked a new chapter with CNN News Center, where her authoritative reporting and broad expertise across international and environmental news continued to garner audience respect and industry acknowledgment.
Natalie Allen married investment advisor Frederick Wright when she was 36 years old. Although details about the wedding are private, public accounts suggest that family and professional friendships played important roles in the occasion, reflecting Allen’s strong personal and professional networks.
Natalie Allen maintains an active presence on Twitter under the handle @nnallen. Through this platform, she engages with a broad audience, sharing insights drawn from her career in journalism and her interests in global issues. Her professional designations have included roles such as production coordinator for AtlanticLIVE and digital publications editor for Global Citizens Unite. She also holds an MSc in Conflict Studies from the London School of Economics and is a proud alumna of Vassar College. Allen notes that her opinions expressed on Twitter are her own.
Her thoughtful commentary and active online presence have earned her a loyal following, reflecting her influence both on and off the screen.
