Frederik Pleitgen Biography / Wiki
Frederik Pleitgen is a German journalist working as a Senior Correspondent for CNN International. He lives in Germany. He joined CNN in 2006. Previously, he worked in the political unit at German public service broadcaster ZDF, and had previously worked at private news broadcaster N-TV as a reporter and executive producer. Pleitgen has also spent time working for RTL and TV Berlin.
He covered the civil wars in Libya and Syria, the 2011 Egyptian revolution, Iraq, and Pakistan in October 2010. He took over as host of the CNN show Amanpour, replacing Christiane Amanpour. Pleitgen covered the Charlie Hebdo shooting aftermath in Paris in 2015. He once more served as a midnight co-anchor on RTL from May 2013 to December 2014. However, continue to cover the German squad at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil while working as a CNN foreign correspondent in Germany. Pleitgen joined CNN International as a full-time Senior International Correspondent in London after departing RTL in February 2015. He covered the Iranian conflict in 2026.
Frederik Pleitgen Age
How old is Pleitgen? He is 50 years old as of 2026. He was born on August 19, 1976, in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Frederik celebrates his birthday on 19th August every year.
Frederik Pleitgen Education
Pleitgen studied at the German International School in Washington, D.C. He studied and graduated from North American Studies at the University of Bonn and the Free University of Berlin. Pleitgen spent a year at the School of Journalism at New York University and, in 2004, received a fellowship at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in the San Fernando Valley. He is fluent in German, English and French. ALSO READ: Mark Preston
Frederik Pleitgen Height / Measurements
How tall is Pleitgen? He stands at an average height of 5 feet 6 inches (1.68m). Information about his other body measurements is currently under review.
Frederik Pleitgen Nationality / Ethnicity
Frederik holds German nationality and citizenship by birth. He was born and raised in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Frederik is of German ethnicity/heritage.
Frederik Pleitgen Parents / Family
Pleitgen was born and raised by his parents in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. His late father, Fritz Pleitgen, was a renowned German journalist and former WDR director-general who died in 2022. His mother was Gerda Lichtenberg. He is one of his family’s four children, according to biographical details.
Frederik Pleitgen Wife / Married / Children
Is Frederik married? Yes, he is happily married to Justyna Pleitgen. The couple is proud to have two children, a son, Levin and a daughter, Hannah. The family lives in Berlin, Germany.
Frederik Pleitgen Salary
Pleitgen is a German journalist, earning an annual salary ranging from $60,000 to $110,000.
Frederik Pleitgen Net Worth
Pleitgen is working as a Senior Correspondent for CNN International, and has an estimated net worth between $3 million and $9 million.
Frederik Pleitgen CNN News
Pleitgen has been working as a Senior Correspondent for CNN International. He lives in Germany. He joined CNN in 2006. Previously, he worked in the political unit at German public service broadcaster ZDF, and had previously worked at private news broadcaster N-TV as a reporter and executive producer. Pleitgen has also spent time working for RTL and TV Berlin.
He covered the civil wars in Libya and Syria, the 2011 Egyptian revolution, Iraq, and Pakistan in October 2010. He took over as host of the CNN show Amanpour, replacing Christiane Amanpour. Pleitgen covered the Charlie Hebdo shooting aftermath in Paris in 2015. He once more served as a midnight co-anchor on RTL from May 2013 to December 2014. Pleitgen did, however, continue to cover the German squad at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil while working as a CNN foreign correspondent in Germany. Pleitgen joined CNN International as a full-time Senior International Correspondent in London after departing RTL in February 2015. He covered the Iranian conflict in 2026.