Karen Attiah Biography
What is Karen Attiah known for?
Karen Attiah is an American journalist, columnist, and editor known for her insightful commentary on race, gender, and international affairs. Born in 1986 in DeSoto, Texas, to Nigerian-Ghanaian parents, she began her media journey at 19 through an internship with the Dallas Public Defender’s Office. Her academic path led her to Northwestern University, earning a BA in Communication Studies, and later to Columbia University for a Master’s in International Affairs.
In 2014, Attiah joined The Washington Post as a digital producer. She became the founding editor of the Global Opinions section in 2016 and was promoted to opinions columnist in 2021. Her work gained international attention following the 2018 disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whom she had recruited for the section. Attiah’s reporting on Khashoggi’s murder earned her the 2019 George Polk Award and the National Association of Black Journalists’ Journalist of the Year award.
In September 2025, Attiah announced her dismissal from The Washington Post, citing her social media posts on gun violence and racial issues. She criticized the newspaper for silencing her, as she was the last full-time Black opinion columnist.
Attiah continues to advocate for global justice, human rights, and the Black diaspora through her writing and public speaking.
Karen Attiah’s Age
How old is Karen Attiah?
Karen Attiah was born on August 12, 1986, in DeSoto, Texas. As of 2025, she is 39 years old. She is a prominent Ghanaian-American journalist, editor, and opinion columnist. Attiah is widely recognized for her work at The Washington Post and advocacy on race, gender, and human rights.
Karen Attiah Husband
As of 2025, Karen Attiah, the award-winning journalist and former Washington Post columnist, has not publicly revealed information about her husband. She has shared personal reflections on social media, including tributes to her late mother and thoughts on global issues. However, there is no public record confirming her being married. Attiah focuses primarily on her professional career, including her work as an editor, columnist, and advocate for race, gender, and international affairs.
Karen Attiah’s Substack: A Platform for Independent Journalism
After her dismissal from The Washington Post in September 2025, Karen Attiah launched a Substack newsletter titled The Golden Hour. Moreover, this platform allows her to continue her advocacy on issues like race, gun violence, and political accountability. In her inaugural post, Attiah criticized the media’s response to Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and consequently, she highlighted racial disparities in public mourning. Furthermore, she also introduced Resistance Summer School, an educational initiative offering courses on race, media, and international affairs. Ultimately, Attiah’s Substack serves as a space for independent thought and community engagement.
Karen Attiah on Bluesky: A Platform for Unfiltered Commentary
Karen Attiah is active on Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform. Attiah uses Bluesky to share her perspectives on race, media, and international affairs. She also promotes her educational initiative, Resistance Summer School, offering courses like “Race, Media + International Affairs.” Attiah’s presence on Bluesky allows for direct engagement with her audience, fostering discussions on critical societal issues. Her participation underscores the platform’s role in facilitating nuanced conversations beyond mainstream media.
Karen Attiah and Grace Attiah: A Mother-Daughter Legacy of Resilience
Karen Attiah is the daughter of Grace Attiah, a Nigerian-Ghanaian woman who fled the Biafran War at age 14. Moreover, Grace’s experiences profoundly influenced Karen’s worldview and career. In 2016, Karen traveled to Nigeria to help her mother heal from the war’s scars, and consequently, this sparked deep conversations about family history. Furthermore, this journey highlighted the enduring impact of trauma and emphasized the importance of storytelling in healing and understanding.
Karen Attiah’s Father
Karen Attiah, is the daughter of a Ghanaian father and a Nigerian-Ghanaian mother. Her father, a pulmonologist, met her mother during college in Ghana. The couple eventually immigrated to the United States, settling in Dallas, where Karen was born. Growing up, Karen was influenced by her father’s academic and professional background. His experiences and values have shaped her perspectives on race, identity, and social justice. Karen’s upbringing in a Ghanaian-American household has been integral to her development as a journalist and editor.
Karen Attiah Fired from The Washington Post Over Social Media Posts
Karen Attiah, a prominent opinion columnist, lost her position at The Washington Post on September 15, 2025. Editors cited her social media posts about political violence and racial issues following Charlie Kirk’s assassination as reasons. However, Attiah strongly disputes accusations of “gross misconduct” and openly criticizes the newspaper for silencing her voice. She represented the last full-time Black opinion columnist, which raised serious concerns over representation. Moreover, her firing fueled intense debates about freedom of expression and the treatment of Black journalists in mainstream media.
Karen Attiah on Instagram
Karen Attiah maintains an active presence on Instagram, where she shares insights into her work and activism. Her account, @karenattiah, features posts related to her journalistic endeavors, personal reflections, and educational initiatives. Attiah uses the platform to engage with her audience on topics such as race, media, and international affairs.
Karen Attiah’s Salary at The Washington Post
As of September 2025, Karen Attiah, a former opinion columnist at The Washington Post, has not publicly disclosed her salary. While specific figures are not available, industry standards for opinion columnists at major newspapers like the Post typically range between $70,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, tenure, and role.
Karen Attiah Net Worth
Karen Attiah has an estimated net worth of $1.33 million as of 2025. Her wealth comes from her career as a journalist, editor, and author, reflecting her influence and achievements in media.