Ben Wedeman Wikipedia | Biography
Ben Wedeman is an American journalist and war correspondent who serves as a senior international correspondent for CNN, based in Rome. He’s been with the network since 1994 and has received several Emmy Awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards for his outstanding team reporting.
Ben Wedeman Age
So, how old is Ben? As of 2026, he’s 65 years old. He was born on September 1, 1960, in Washington, D.C., USA, and he celebrates his birthday every year on that same date.
Ben Wedeman Education
In 1974, Ben started his educational journey at a boarding school in Beirut, Lebanon. He then went on to graduate from the University of Texas in Austin. But that’s not all—he also attended the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Asiatic Languages and Linguistics. To top it off, he completed a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies.
Ben Wedeman Nationality
Ben proudly holds American nationality and citizenship. Growing up in Washington, D.C., he has deep roots in the United States and identifies with his white heritage.
Ben Wedeman Height
Standing at about 5 feet 7 inches tall (around 1.70 m), Ben is of average height. However, he hasn’t shared any details about his other body measurements publicly.
Ben Wedeman Parents
Ben was raised in Washington, D.C., by his loving parents, Martha Jean and Miles G. Wedeman. His father, Miles, was born on January 23, 1923, and sadly passed away on October 23, 2013. He had a career as a civil servant and diplomat from Pennsylvania, serving with USAID in places like the Ivory Coast and Syria, and was a devoted Quaker. Martha, on the other hand, is a former correspondent and journalist for the Washington Post.
Ben Wedeman Wife | Children
When it comes to his personal life, Ben prefers to keep things private. He hasn’t revealed whether he’s married, engaged, dating, or single. Rest assured, our team is keeping an eye on this aspect, and we’ll update you as soon as we have more information
Ben Wedeman CNN
Wedeman is an American journalist and a seasoned war correspondent who currently holds the position of senior international correspondent for CNN, based in Rome. He’s been part of the network since 1994 and has earned multiple Emmy Awards and Edward R. Murrow Awards for his exceptional team reporting.
From 1988 to 1992, Wedeman was based in Aleppo, Syria, where he worked as a communications specialist for the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas. He joined CNN in 1994 as a locally hired employee in Jordan, taking on various roles such as fixer, producer, and sound technician. Thanks to his fluency in different Arabic dialects, he often assisted reporting teams at checkpoints and in the field, eventually becoming CNN’s bureau chief in Amman.
Between 1998 and 2006, he served as the bureau chief in Cairo, where he led coverage of major regional events, including the unrest in Egypt and significant developments across the Middle East. In 2009, he transitioned to the role of CNN correspondent for the Jerusalem bureau.
Wedeman has reported extensively from conflict zones. In October 2000, he was shot in the back while covering clashes between Palestinians and Israelis near the Karni crossing between Gaza and Israel. During the Libyan civil war in 2011, he reported from the ground and stumbled upon barrels containing yellow powder, which was later confirmed by the IAEA to be yellowcake uranium.
After the September 11 attacks, he was among the first journalists to enter Iraq before the Iraq War, where he conducted a rare interview with Uday Hussein. He also reported from Aleppo during the Syrian civil war in 2012.
Beyond the Middle East, Wedeman has covered conflicts in Afghanistan, the Balkans, and Africa. In 2022 and 2023, he reported from war zones in Ukraine. Since 2023, he has also been a recurring guest on the Italian talk show Che tempo che fa, which airs on NOVE, a channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.
Ben Wedeman Salary
Ben makes his living as a CNN News correspondent and journalist, and as of 2026, his average annual salary is around $95,000.
Net Worth
Most of Ben’s wealth comes from his successful journalism career, leading to an estimated net worth of about $4 million.