Emily Maitlis Biography: Age, Height, Husband, Salary, Net Worth, BBC
Emily Maitlis is a British journalist and broadcaster, best known for her years as lead anchor of the BBC’s Newsnight and for her landmark 2019 interview with Prince Andrew. She now presents the daily podcast The News Agents.
Widely regarded as one of Britain’s most incisive interviewers, she has won multiple Royal Television Society awards for her journalism.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Emily Maitlis |
| Nick Name | Emily |
| Profession | Journalist, News Presenter |
| Birth Date | September 6, 1970 |
| Age | 56 years 1 month old |
| Birth Place | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | British |
| Known For | Newsnight; the Prince Andrew interview |
| Ethnicity | White (British Jewish heritage) |
| Zodiac | Virgo |
| Height | Approx. 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Qualification | Queens’ College, Cambridge (BA, English) |
| Religion | Jewish (not practising) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Mark Gwynne (m. 2000) |
| Children | Two sons |
| Family Tree | Daughter of Peter Maitlis, a chemistry professor; sisters Nicky and Sally Maitlis |
| Hobbies | Running, reading |
| Current Work | Presenter of The News Agents (LBC/Global) |
| Years Active | 1990sâpresent |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5â8 million |
Related names: Newsnight, The News Agents, and Prince Andrew.
Early Life & Education
Emily Maitlis was born on September 6, 1970, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, to British Jewish parents, and was brought up in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, with her two elder sisters.
She was educated at King Edward VII School in Sheffield and read English at Queens’ College, Cambridge, where she took part in student theatre.
Career Journey
Broadcasting in East Asia
Maitlis began her broadcasting career in Cambodia and China, then spent six years in Hong Kong with TVB News and NBC Asia, covering the 1997 handover of Hong Kong and the collapse of the tiger economies.
BBC Years
After a spell at Sky News and BBC London News, she became a presenter on the BBC News Channel from 2006. She joined Newsnight as a relief presenter and became its lead anchor in 2018 following Evan Davis’s departure.
The Prince Andrew Interview
In November 2019, Maitlis interviewed Prince Andrew for Newsnight about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The broadcast became one of the most talked-about interviews in modern British television and won Interview of the Year and Scoop of the Year at the 2020 RTS Awards.
The News Agents
Maitlis left the BBC in 2022 to join Global, launching the daily podcast The News Agents with Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall on LBC. She also executive produced the drama A Very Royal Scandal (2024).
Career Stats
- Lead anchor of Newsnight (2018â2021)
- Interview of the Year and Scoop of the Year, RTS (2020)
- Network Presenter of the Year, RTS (2019 and 2020)
- Host of The News Agents podcast
Personal Life
- Maitlis married investment manager Mark Gwynne in 2000; they met while working in Hong Kong.
- The couple have two sons and live in Kensington, London.
- She is a keen runner and fluent in French, Spanish, and Italian.
Dating History and Affairs
Maitlis met her husband, Mark Gwynne, while both were working in Hong Kong. She has said she proposed to him while on holiday in Mauritius. The couple have been married since 2000.
Controversies
Maitlis was criticised by the BBC’s Editorial Complaints Unit over remarks made on Newsnight during Brexit and lockdown debates, which the unit said did not meet standards of due impartiality. She has also spoken publicly about being stalked for years by a former university acquaintance, Edward Vines, who received multiple prison sentences for breaching a restraining order.
Awards & Achievements
- Broadcast Journalist of the Year, London Press Club (2017)
- Network Presenter of the Year, RTS (2019, 2020)
- Hanns Joachim Friedrichs Award (2020)
- Honorary doctorate, Sheffield Hallam University (2012)
Physical Statistics
| Height | Approx. 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair Color | Blonde |
| Eye Color | Blue |
Quotes
I always think, oh my God, I’m exhausted, I want vodka and bed.
Emily Maitlis, The Observer
Favorites
- Favorite Activity: Running
- Favorite Book: Airhead (her own)
- Favorite City: London
Earnings & Net Worth
Emily Maitlis’s estimated net worth is between $5 million and $8 million. During her time at the BBC she was among the corporation’s highest-paid news presenters, and she now works with Global.
Interesting Facts
- She was born in Canada but raised in Sheffield.
- She published the book Airhead in 2019.
- She speaks French, Spanish, and Italian.
- Her Prince Andrew interview reshaped royal coverage.
Did You Know Already?
Did you know Emily Maitlis began her broadcasting career in Hong Kong, covering the 1997 handover for TVB and NBC Asia?
Social Media Links
- X (Twitter): @maitlis
- Podcast: The News Agents on LBC
FAQ
Who is Emily Maitlis?
Emily Maitlis is a British journalist and broadcaster, former lead anchor of BBC’s Newsnight and now host of The News Agents.
How old is Emily Maitlis?
She was born on September 6, 1970, making her 56 years 1 month old years old.
Is Emily Maitlis married?
Yes. She has been married to investment manager Mark Gwynne since 2000, and they have two sons.
Why is Emily Maitlis famous?
She is famous for her 2019 Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew about Jeffrey Epstein, and for her long career in British broadcast journalism.
Conclusion
Emily Maitlis has built a reputation as one of Britain’s sharpest interviewers, from the BBC newsroom to a daily podcast. Her landmark sit-down with Prince Andrew remains a defining moment in modern broadcast journalism. If you found this biography helpful, please share it with other news fans!
