Have you ever wondered who tells the stories behind the world’s biggest headlines? One of those trusted voices is Barbara Plett Usher. She’s a Canadian journalist who has spent many years reporting for BBC News from all around the world. Whether it’s the Middle East, the United Nations, or Africa — Barbara has been there, calmly explaining what’s really going on.
In this article, we’re going to learn everything about Barbara Plett Usher in a very simple and friendly way. We’ll talk about her age, husband, children, illness in the family, career, net worth, and more. So, let’s get to know this inspiring reporter who helps the world understand difficult things in an easy way.
Barbara Plett Usher Quick Facts
Before we dive deeper, here’s a short list of who Barbara Plett Usher is:
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She is a Canadian-born journalist, working for BBC News.
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She was born in 1967, so she is around 58 years old in 2025.
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She is known for her foreign reporting, especially in places like Jerusalem, Pakistan, New York, and now Africa.
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She works as a BBC Africa Correspondent, currently based in Nairobi, Kenya.
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She is well known for being calm, fair, and kind in her reporting.
These are just the basics. Let’s now explore her full story.
How Old Is Barbara Plett Usher?
Barbara Plett Usher was born in 1967, which makes her about 58 years old as of 2025. Even though we don’t know the exact day and month of her birth, her birth year has been confirmed in many trusted sources.
She was born in Manitoba, Canada, a quiet province with open skies and kind people. That peaceful start might be why she stayed calm even in stressful reporting situations later in life.
It’s always interesting to see how someone’s early years shape their path. For Barbara, growing up in Canada gave her a strong sense of fairness and global curiosity — two things that show up in her work even today.
Early Life and Education
Barbara’s interest in world stories began when she was young. She was curious about how other people lived and how world events affected real lives. That curiosity led her to study journalism.
She went to Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, one of the best schools for journalism. She studied there from 1988 to 1991 and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
During her university years, Barbara learned how to ask questions, research facts, and write stories that matter. Her teachers helped her become a clear, thoughtful, and fair journalist — skills that helped her land amazing jobs later on.
Barbara Plett Usher’s Journalism Career
After finishing university, Barbara didn’t wait around for someone to hand her a big job. Instead, she packed her bags and moved to Cairo, Egypt, to work as a freelance reporter. That was in the early 1990s — a bold move for a young Canadian woman.
Between 1993 and 1997, she sent stories to places like BBC World Service Radio, CBC, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), and others. She focused on real voices from the Arab world, sharing honest stories that Western media often missed.
People noticed how she reported with care and depth. That work helped her get a full-time position with BBC News — a big step forward in her career. And that was just the beginning of her long journey with the BBC.
Major Stories and Assignments
Once she joined the BBC full-time, Barbara started covering some of the most important and difficult places in the world. Let’s look at some of the key places she reported from:
Middle East (Egypt, Jordan, Jerusalem)
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Barbara first worked as the BBC Egypt reporter, then moved on to Jordan and finally to Jerusalem.
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Between 1999 and 2005, she covered major stories like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Iraq War, and the Palestinian Intifada.
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She reported not just on politics, but also on the lives of people caught in the middle.
Pakistan (Islamabad)
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From 2005 to 2009, she worked as the BBC Pakistan Correspondent, based in Islamabad.
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She covered events like the rise of extremism, political changes, and the tragic assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007.
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Even in dangerous situations, Barbara stayed focused, respectful, and professional.
United Nations in New York
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In 2009, Barbara moved to New York as the BBC’s UN Correspondent.
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She covered major global events and peace talks, including Middle East diplomacy and humanitarian crises.
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Instead of being in war zones, she was now reporting from the halls of international power.
From the dusty roads of conflict to the quiet rooms of the UN, Barbara stayed true to her style — calm, clear, and fair.
Who Was Barbara Plett Usher’s Husband?
In 2003, Barbara married Graham Usher, a British journalist who also worked in the Middle East. Graham was known for his smart writing and strong reporting, especially for The Economist.
The two of them shared not just love but also a deep passion for journalism. They moved together for their jobs — from the Middle East, to Pakistan, and then New York. It was a life full of travel, stories, and shared purpose.
Sadly, in 2013, Graham Usher passed away after battling a rare brain disease called Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. He was only 54. Barbara has spoken about him lovingly and continues to honor his memory through her work and quiet posts on social media.
Does Barbara Plett Usher Have Children?
Barbara Plett Usher has chosen to keep much of her personal life private — which is completely understandable. Based on public records, she does not have any children.
She has always focused fully on her work, traveling across the globe and taking on some of the world’s most important stories. Journalism is a demanding job, especially when you’re constantly moving and reporting from dangerous areas. For Barbara, her work has been like a mission — and her dedication shows.
Even without children, she’s impacted so many lives through her reporting — helping people understand the world with honesty and care.
Barbara Plett Usher’s Health and Illness in the Family
There is no public news or report about Barbara Plett Usher having any serious illness herself. She seems healthy and active, still working full-time as a journalist in 2025. But sadly, she did experience illness in her family.
Her husband, Graham Usher, became seriously ill in 2013. He was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, a very rare brain disorder. This illness came suddenly and progressed very fast. Sadly, Graham passed away the same year. He was only 54 years old.
Barbara never talked too much about it in the media, but those who follow her work know how painful this loss was. Even now, she sometimes shares quiet tributes to him. This shows how deeply they loved and respected each other.
Where Does Barbara Plett Usher Live Now?
Barbara Plett Usher moves around a lot, just like many international reporters. Right now, she is mostly based in Nairobi, Kenya, where she works as the BBC Africa Correspondent. She travels often to report stories from all across the African continent.
Before Nairobi, she spent many years in Washington D.C., covering the U.S. State Department. And before that, she lived in places like Jerusalem, Islamabad, and New York for her work.
So where does she “live”? Well, home for her is often wherever the story is. She has learned to stay flexible and make any place feel like home — whether it’s Africa, America, or the Middle East. That’s part of what makes her such a great journalist.
What Is Barbara Plett Usher’s Net Worth?
Barbara Plett Usher has never publicly shared her net worth. And since she works as a journalist for BBC News, her income comes mostly from her job there. The BBC usually keeps salaries private, especially for reporters who work abroad.
However, since Barbara has worked in top-level roles for many years — including as a State Department Correspondent and now Africa Correspondent — we can guess that she earns a good living. But she does not show off her lifestyle or talk about money. She seems to live simply and stays focused on her work.
So, while no one knows her exact net worth, it’s clear she’s rich in experience and respect — and that’s something money can’t buy.
Barbara Plett Usher’s Religion and Beliefs
Barbara Plett Usher keeps her personal beliefs very private. She has never made a public statement about her religion, but based on her background growing up in Canada, many assume she may have Christian roots.
What we do know is that she brings a lot of empathy, kindness, and fairness into her work. These values are easy to see in her reporting — whether she’s in a refugee camp or a press room at the United Nations.
So, while we don’t know exactly what she believes in privately, her professional values speak loudly. She believes in truth, respect, and giving a voice to people who are not often heard.
What Makes Barbara Plett Usher So Respected?
If you ask anyone in the journalism world about Barbara Plett Usher, you’ll hear the same words again and again: calm, clear, brave, fair.
She doesn’t chase fame or drama. She just reports the facts — with heart. She’s covered war zones, global diplomacy, natural disasters, and political unrest, all while keeping her voice steady and her stories human.
Barbara has also broken many barriers. In a field often led by men, she has become one of the most respected female foreign correspondents of her generation. She has shown younger journalists — especially women — that it’s possible to have a strong career without losing your values.
That’s why her name means something. It stands for truth, dignity, and courage.
Final Thoughts
So, who is Barbara Plett Usher? She is much more than a reporter. She is a storyteller, a truth-seeker, and a quiet force behind many of the world’s biggest news stories.
From her early days in Canada to her freelance work in Cairo… from covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to U.S. foreign policy, and now reporting from Africa — she has stayed true to the same mission: help people understand what’s happening in the world.
She has faced personal loss, lived in high-risk zones, and moved between continents — yet she continues to do her work with strength and care.
In 2025, Barbara Plett Usher is still going strong. She is still reporting, still leading, and still inspiring people everywhere. Her story reminds us that journalism isn’t just about the headlines — it’s about truth, humanity, and heart.
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