Wikipedia | Biography
Yalda Hakim is an Afghan-born Australian broadcast journalist and documentary filmmaker, currently serving as the Lead World News presenter for Sky News. She’s recognized for her sharp insights and comprehensive coverage of international affairs.
Born in Afghanistan, Hakim and her family sought refuge in Australia in 1986. Growing up in Parramatta, a suburb of western Sydney, she discovered her passion for journalism, which would ultimately guide her career path.
Hakim began her professional journalism career at SBS Television in Australia, where she sharpened her reporting skills before making a significant move to the BBC in 2012. At the BBC, she quickly emerged as one of the network’s leading presenters, delivering news to audiences in the UK and beyond while covering major global events.
In July 2023, after more than a decade with the BBC, Hakim transitioned to Sky News, taking on the role of Lead World News presenter. She continues to excel in international reporting, seamlessly blending live news presentation with engaging documentary storytelling on critical global issues.
Yalda Hakim Age
So, how old is Yalda? As of 2026, she’s 43 years old. Born on June 26, 1983, in Kabul, Afghanistan, she celebrates her birthday every year on that same date.
Yalda Hakim Education
Yalda completed her education at Macarthur Girls High School in Parramatta, Sydney. She then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Macquarie in 2004. Additionally, she holds a diploma in journalism from Macleay College. Yalda is quite the polyglot, speaking over five languages, including Persian, Pashto, Urdu, Dari, and Hindi.
Yalda Hakim Nationality
Yalda holds American nationality and citizenship. Although she was born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan, she has roots in both American and Australian cultures.
Yalda Hakim Height | Measurements
Yalda stands at about 5 feet 5 inches tall (approximately 1.65 m), which is pretty average for a woman. However, she hasn’t shared any other details about her body measurements publicly.
Yalda Hakim Family | Parents
Raised in Kabul, Afghanistan, Yalda grew up surrounded by her loving parents. Her family made the move to Australia in the late 1980s due to the Soviet invasion. While she keeps her family life private, she hasn’t disclosed much about her parents or whether she has siblings. It’s worth noting that she holds both Australian and American citizenship.
Yalda Hakim Husband | Children
Yalda is happily married to her wonderful husband, Abed Rashid. Abed has an impressive background, having served in the Royal Australian Air Force for eight years and currently working as an avionics engineer. The couple tends to keep their personal life under wraps, so there aren’t many details available about their marriage. We’ll be sure to update this section as we learn more
Sky News
Yalda Hakim is an Afghan-born Australian broadcast journalist and documentary filmmaker, currently serving as the Lead World News presenter for Sky News. She’s recognized for her sharp insights and comprehensive coverage of international affairs.
Born in Afghanistan, Hakim and her family sought refuge in Australia in 1986. Growing up in Parramatta, a suburb of western Sydney, she discovered her passion for journalism, which would ultimately guide her career path.
Hakim began her professional journalism career at SBS Television in Australia, where she sharpened her reporting skills before making a significant move to the BBC in 2012. At the BBC, she quickly emerged as one of the network’s leading presenters, delivering news to audiences in the UK and beyond while covering major global events.
In July 2023, after more than a decade with the BBC, Hakim transitioned to Sky News, taking on the role of Lead World News presenter. She continues to excel in international reporting, seamlessly blending live news presentation with engaging documentary storytelling on critical global issues.
Yalda Hakim Salary
As a presenter for Sky News, Yalda earns a respectable income. Her annual average salary is around $95,000.
Yalda Hakim Net Worth
Having spent a significant amount of time in the journalism field, Yalda has built up a solid financial foundation throughout her career. Her estimated net worth stands at about $3 million.
Yalda Hakim Foundation
In 2018, Yalda established the “Yalda Hakim Foundation,” aimed at fostering the professional growth of exceptionally talented Afghan individuals. The foundation has also played a crucial role in successfully evacuating over 200 at-risk Afghans, including some of the country’s leading journalists and students from the American University of Afghanistan.