Yalda Hakim is an acclaimed Australian broadcast journalist, television presenter, and documentary filmmaker. Currently the Lead World News Presenter at Sky News, she is known for her in-depth international reporting and humanitarian advocacy. Prior to joining Sky, she was one of the chief presenters at BBC News, where she worked from 2013 to 2023.
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Early Life and Background
Yalda Hakim was born on 26 June 1983 in Kabul, Afghanistan, during the Soviet–Afghan War. At just six months old, her family fled the country on horseback, traveling overland to Pakistan with the help of smugglers. They later migrated to Australia in 1986 and settled in the suburb of Parramatta in Western Sydney.
Growing up in Australia, Hakim quickly adapted to her new home, excelling in both academics and extracurricular activities. She attended Parramatta West Public School and later Macarthur Girls High School, where she became a prefect, sports captain, and violinist.
Education
Yalda pursued her passion for journalism through extensive academic training. Her educational journey is outlined below:
| Qualification | Institution | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (Media) | Macquarie University | 2002–2004 |
| Diploma in Journalism | Macleay College, Sydney | 2005 |
| Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) (Distance) | Monash University | 2007–2009 |
She was also a board member of the Macquarie University Union during her undergraduate studies.
Languages Spoken
Yalda Hakim is multilingual and fluent in the following languages:
- English
- Persian (Dari)
- Hindi
- Urdu
- Pashto
- Mandarin (learning as of 2022)
Career Overview
SBS Television (2008–2012)
Yalda began her journalism career at SBS Dateline, where her first major assignment in 2008 took her back to Kabul. Her bold reporting earned her national recognition. She co-hosted Dateline from 2011 and reported globally.
Awards at SBS
- United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Award (2009)
- Finalist for the Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year
BBC News (2013–2023)
Hakim joined the BBC in March 2013, becoming a prominent presenter on BBC World News and later BBC News Channel. Her deep, investigative reporting and strong interviews quickly made her one of the network’s key figures.
Notable highlights include:
- Interviewing Afghan President Hamid Karzai (2013)
- Leading presenter of Impact from 2014 onwards
- Contributor to Newsnight and BBC documentaries
- Peabody Award nomination in 2021 for work on Afghanistan: Documenting A Crucial Year
- Became a chief presenter of the new BBC global/UK news channel in 2023
- Hosted The Daily Global, a two-hour weekday show
- Presented her final BBC show on 2 October 2023
Sky News (2023–Present)
In October 2023, Yalda joined Sky News as their Lead World News Presenter. On 22 January 2024, she began hosting The World with Yalda Hakim, a nightly current affairs programme that quickly gained traction with an estimated audience of 60,000 nightly viewers.
Yalda Hakim Foundation (YHF)
Yalda is the founder of the Yalda Hakim Foundation, launched in 2018 to empower talented Afghan women through:
- Scholarships
- Mentorship and internships
- Educational funding
Notable Initiatives:
- Full scholarships at the American University of Afghanistan (2019)
- Partnership with Oriel College, Oxford (2021) for a fully-funded master’s programme
Personal Life
Yalda Hakim is known to keep her personal life private. She is married, though her husband’s identity and personal details have not been publicly disclosed.
Physical Stats
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 58 kg |
Net Worth
As of 2025, Yalda Hakim’s estimated net worth is between:
$2 million – $3 million USD
This includes her earnings from journalism, documentary projects, public speaking engagements, and the success of her foundation.
Social Media Profiles
Stay connected with Yalda through her verified social platforms:
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| @YaldaHakim | |
| @yaldahakim | |
| Yalda Hakim |
Conclusion
Yalda Hakim is not only a seasoned global journalist but also a humanitarian voice for Afghan women. With her courageous reporting, multilingual abilities, and dedication to empowering others through education, she continues to be a highly influential figure in international media.
