Sagarika Ghose: Trailblazing Journalist, Author, and Media Icon

Born on November 8, 1964, Sagarika Ghose stands as a prominent Indian journalist, acclaimed columnist, and successful author, leaving an indelible mark on the country’s media landscape over a career spanning more than three decades. Her estimated net worth is $5 million.

Early Life and Educational Background

Hailing from a family deeply involved in public service and diplomacy, Sagarika Ghose is the daughter of Bhaskar Ghose, a former member of the Indian Administrative Service and the Director General of Doordarshan. Her family’s commitment to public service extends to her aunts, Arundhati Ghose, a former ambassador and diplomat, and Ruma Pal, a former justice of the Supreme Court of India.

Sagarika began her educational journey at Delhi Public School, R. K. Puram, and later earned her bachelor’s degree in history from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Awarded the Rhodes Scholarship in 1987, she pursued further studies with a Bachelor’s in Modern History from Magdalen College and an M.Phil. from St Antony’s College, Oxford.

Career Highlights

Starting her journalistic career in 1991, Sagarika Ghose has made significant contributions to prestigious publications such as The Times of India, Outlook magazine, and The Indian Express. Her dynamic career includes roles as deputy editor and prime-time anchor at the news network CNN-IBN, where she hosted the groundbreaking show ‘Question Time India.’

While her impactful writings and broadcasts have gained popularity, they have not been without controversy, drawing both admiration and criticism, particularly from right-wing audiences.

In a historic move in 2013, Ghose conducted the first-ever Twitter interview with Arvind Kejriwal, a prominent Indian politician, setting a precedent for social media interactions with political figures.

Despite her success, Ghose resigned from CNN-IBN in 2014 following the network’s acquisition by Reliance Industries Ltd.

Awards and Recognitions

Sagarika Ghose’s outstanding contributions to journalism have earned her numerous accolades, including the NT Award for Best Public Debate Show for ‘Question Time Didi.’ Notable recognitions include the Gr8-ITA Award for Excellence in Journalism (2009), the CF Andrews Award for Distinguished Alumnus from St Stephen’s College (2012), and the C.H. Mohammed Koya National Award for Journalism (2017).

Published Works

Ghose’s literary contributions transcend journalism, encompassing two novels, namely ‘The Gin Drinkers’ (1998) and ‘Blind Faith’ (2004). Her biography of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, titled ‘Indira: India’s Most Powerful Prime Minister’ (2017), garnered acclaim. In 2018, Ghose introduced ‘Why I Am A Liberal: A Manifesto For Indians Who Believe in Individual Freedom,’ a non-fiction piece advocating for liberal values.

Her most recent literary endeavour is the biography of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, published in 2022.

Personal Life

Sagarika Ghose is married to distinguished journalist and news anchor Rajdeep Sardesai, the son of former Indian test cricketer Dilip Sardesai. The couple has two children, Ishan and Tarini.

In her illustrious career, Sagarika Ghose remains a prominent voice, exerting influence on public discourse and contributing to shaping the narrative on vital socio-political issues in India.