Jon Sopel Biography
Jon Sopel, is a British journalist and TV presenter who used to work for BBC News. He was in charge of reporting on North America and was also a top political correspondent for the channel. You might have seen him on the Politics Show or on BBC One. He even hosted a show called Global on BBC World News from 2013 to 2014.
Sopel was born in 1959 to Jewish parents Myer and Miriam Sopel. When he was eleven, his family relocated from Stepney to north London. Sopel attended Christ’s College, Finchley before earning a 2:1 honors degree in politics from Southampton University. During his time at university, he was the president of the Students’ Union for the National Organization of Labor Students from 1982 to 1983.
Jon Sopel Age
He was born on 22 May 1959 in London, England. Sopel is 64 years old as of 2023
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Jon Sopel Parents
Sopel was born in 1959 to Jewish parents Myer and Miriam Sopel. When he was eleven, his family relocated from Stepney to north London. Sopel attended Christ’s College, Finchley before earning a 2:1 honors degree in politics from Southampton University. During his time at university, he was the president of the Students’ Union for the National Organization of Labor Students from 1982 to 1983.
Jon Sopel Wife and Children
Josep is married to Twissell. He met his wife Linda Twissell while working at Radio Solent. The couple has a son and daughter and lives in Washington DC.
Jon Sopel Education
Until graduating with a 2: 1 honors degree in politics from Southampton University, he was educated at Christ’s College, Finchley. During 1982 and 1983, Sopel was the President of the Students ‘ Union for the National Labor Student Organization.
Jon Sopel BBC News
Sopel started his career as a freelance writer and broadcaster, and later joined BBC Radio Solent as a reporter and producer in 1983. He then became the chief political correspondent for BBC News 24 and worked as the BBC’s Paris correspondent for three years. During his time in Paris, he covered significant stories such as the French ban on the importation of British beef, the millennium celebrations in Paris, and the Concorde crash in July 2000.
In 2003, Sopel reported on the invasion of Iraq as the BBC’s correspondent in Kuwait City. He joined The Politics Show on BBC One in 2005, replacing Jeremy Vine as the main presenter, and interviewed key politicians and advisers such as Tony Blair, David Cameron, and Condoleezza Rice. The show ended in 2011 and was replaced by Sunday Politics.
Sopel has also co-presented the BBC News channel on weekday afternoons and has reported on major political stories for the BBC News Channel and BBC News at One. He has made occasional appearances as a relief anchor on BBC One news bulletins and has fronted BBC Two’s annual coverage of the UK political party conferences, Conference Live.
In 2014, Sopel was appointed as the BBC’s North America editor, and in 2020 he started presenting the BBC podcast Americast alongside Emily Maitlis and Anthony Zurcher. The podcast has received positive reviews and has become one of the UK’s most listened to podcasts.
Sopel announced his departure as North America editor in October 2021 and left the BBC in February 2022 to launch a new podcast and joint radio show with Emily Maitlis called The News Agents on LBC.
Jon Sopel Outside His Career
The 2007 Who’s Who edition listed Sopel’s hobbies as golfing, traveling, and watching Spurs supporting football. He is an agent for The Faith of the Prince, too.
Jon Sopel Hip Surgery
According to the 2007 edition of Who’s Who, Jonathan B. Sopel’s interests include golf, traveling, and following football. He is a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. In addition, Sopel is an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust, a charity that helps young people succeed. He met his wife Linda Twissell while working at Radio Solent, and they have a son and a daughter. Unfortunately, on 20 October 2010, Sopel had an accident while traveling to Westminster on his motor scooter, which resulted in a broken hip. He was unaware of the extent of his injury until he arrived at his destination, and had to undergo surgery to repair the damage.
Jon Sopel Awards
- In 2007, the Public Relations Industry elected Sopel as the Political Journalist of the Year.
- 2011, Sopel was awarded the University of Southampton’s Honorary Doctorate of Letters.
- In 2013, at the Royal Television Society Television Journalism Awards 2011/2012, Sopel was shortlisted for National Presenter of the Year.
Jon Sopel Publications
- 1995; Tony Blair: The Moderniser, Michael Joseph. ISBN 978-0553503876′
- August 2017; If Only They Didn’t Know English, Trump’s America notes. Books on BBC. ISBN 978-1785942266.
- 2019; A Year in the Circus, The White House Inside Trump. Books on BBC. ISBN 978-1785944376.
Jon Sopel Salary and Net Worth
Sopel’s salary is estimated to be £235,000-£239,999 annually. However, the information about his net worth is not available and it will be updated as soon as it is disclosed.
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