Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC One current affairs programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. Picture date: Sunday November 13, 2022. (Image: PA)
, the former political editor for the , has an intriguing background that remains unknown to many.
Born in Italy on August 8, 1976, to Sally Kuenssberg and Scottish businessman Nick Kuenssberg, she hails from a lineage of high achievers. Her late father, an OBE, held the position of chairman at Klik2Learn Limited and Frog Systems Limited, and was a director at Gabriel Investments.
The successful businessman, who was fluent in four languages, died last year at the age of 80.
Laura’s paternal grandfather was the German-born founder and president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Dr Ekkehard von Kuenssberg.
On her mother’s side, her grandfather was Lord Roberton, a High Court judge in Scotland.
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Laura Kuenssberg was previously the BBC’s political editor. (Image: BBC/October Films/Stuart Powell)
The host of Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg was raised in Glasgow and attended a private girls’ school named Laurel Bank School.
She developed a passion for history during her school years, leading her to study the subject at the University of Edinburgh, reports .
She then ventured to America to study journalism at Georgetown University in Washington DC, where she worked on a political show for NBC News.
Upon returning to the UK, Laura began her broadcasting career on radio and TV in Glasgow. In March 2000, she joined the team in North East and Cumbria as their home affairs correspondent, producing reports for Niall Dickson, who oversees social affairs.
Laura made history as the first woman to become the ‘s top political reporter but found herself beleaguered by online trolls and threats following the 2017 election. She faced attacks from supporters of both the Tory and UKIP parties.
Covering politics across the nation, Laura even required bodyguards for protection, accompanying her to a four-day Labour Party conference.
The , while not specifically addressing rumours, acknowledged through an insider speaking to The Sun on Sunday that staff safety is a paramount concern, stating: “We take the safety of our staff extremely seriously. Laura is a well-known public figure. She and her team will be covering events with big crowds where there can be hostility, so we want to ensure adequate precautions are taken.”
In November 2017, during a business lunch held by Jewish Care, Ms Kuenssberg reflected on her experience: “I didn’t aspire to have the finger pointed at me. What they are trying to do is silence me.”