Education and Personal Life

Anna Coren earned her degree in communications from Charles Sturt University’s Bathurst campus in Australia in 1996. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her younger brother and two sisters. Her personal interests include practicing yoga and traveling—Vietnam is among her favorite destinations. From an early stage in her career, Coren aspired to work for CNN, a goal she fulfilled through dedication and journalistic excellence.

Early Career in Australian Broadcasting

Coren began her journalism career at Australia's Nine Network, where she worked as a reporter and presenter. She later joined the Seven Network, eventually becoming the U.S. correspondent based in Los Angeles. While at Seven Network, she also served as the anchor of 'Today Tonight,' a nationally broadcast current affairs program. These roles provided a solid foundation for her transition to international reporting.

Reporting for CNN International

Since joining CNN in 2008, Coren has covered numerous high-profile stories across the globe. Her assignments have ranged from armed conflict zones to natural disasters. Significant events she has reported on include the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Bali and London terror attacks, and the nuclear crisis in North Korea. She also reported on the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, and the widespread flooding in Thailand.

Field Reporting and Notable Interviews

Coren has demonstrated exceptional bravery and commitment to frontline journalism. In March 2013, she embedded with U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan, providing an eyewitness account of the conflict. Throughout her career, she has interviewed numerous prominent figures, including former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, actor George Clooney, director Baz Luhrmann, and golf legend Greg Norman.

Awards and CNN Special Programming

Coren has received multiple accolades for her work. She won the Asian Television Award for Best News Presenter or Anchor in both 2011 and 2012, honoring her contributions to CNN’s international news program, World Report. She also plays a key role in CNN’s special series ‘Eye On,’ a program that offers in-depth coverage of countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Macedonia, South Korea, and Mongolia. The series highlights the cultural, business, and social developments shaping each nation.