Barbara Plett Usher: The BBC’s Veteran Voice of Global Affairs
Who is Barbara Plett Usher?
Barbara Plett Usher is a highly respected Canadian-born journalist and long-serving foreign correspondent for BBC News. Known for her insightful coverage of international diplomacy and conflict, she has spent over three decades reporting from some of the world’s most challenging regions. From the Middle East and South Asia to the United Nations and Washington D.C., Barbara Plett Usher’s journalism has consistently illuminated complex global issues for international audiences.
As of today, she serves as the BBC Africa Correspondent, based in Nairobi, Kenya — continuing her legacy of reporting on diplomacy, security, and human stories that define our interconnected world.
Early Life and Education of Barbara Plett Usher
Born in 1967 in Manitoba, Canada, Barbara Plett Usher grew up with a curiosity about world affairs that would later define her career. Her early passion for storytelling and global cultures led her to pursue journalism at Carleton University in Ottawa, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism between 1988 and 1991.
During her university years, she developed the sharp analytical and communication skills that would later make her one of the BBC’s most recognisable foreign correspondents. Her education at Carleton, one of Canada’s top journalism schools, equipped her with a strong foundation in both media ethics and international reporting.
Career Beginnings: Barbara Plett Usher’s Early Steps in Journalism
Barbara Plett Usher began her career as a freelance reporter in Cairo, Egypt in the early 1990s. From 1993 to 1997, she contributed to major international outlets, including the BBC World Service Radio, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), and the South African Press Association (SAPA).
Her work during this period demonstrated her determination to bring authentic voices from the Arab world to Western audiences. She produced features for Canadian newspapers and became known for her depth, accuracy, and calm reporting style even in volatile regions.
This early freelance experience established her as a credible voice in Middle Eastern affairs and opened the door for her full-time career with the BBC.
Barbara Plett Usher’s Journey at BBC News
Egypt, Jordan, and Jerusalem: Reporting from the Middle East
Barbara Plett Usher formally joined BBC News in 1997, beginning in Cairo as a BBC Egypt Reporter. Over the next decade, she covered some of the most defining events of the modern Middle East.
From 1999 to 2001, she worked as the Jordan Reporter, covering Jordan, Syria, and Iraq during a time when Iraq was under strict United Nations sanctions. Her sharp understanding of the socio-political dynamics in the region made her reports both analytical and empathetic.
From 2001 to 2005, she served as the BBC Jerusalem Reporter, where she covered the Palestinian Intifada, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the aftermath of the Iraq War. Her ability to convey the human side of political turmoil earned her recognition as one of the BBC’s most balanced correspondents in the region.
Islamabad: Barbara Plett Usher as BBC Pakistan Correspondent
Between 2005 and 2009, Barbara Plett Usher was posted to Islamabad, Pakistan, during a period of immense political change. She reported on the rise of militancy, the challenges of democracy, and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007.
Her reports captured not only the headlines but also the human costs of instability in South Asia. This posting demonstrated her courage and professionalism, often working under demanding and high-risk conditions.
United Nations Correspondent in New York
In 2009, Barbara Plett Usher was appointed as the BBC’s United Nations Correspondent, based in New York. Over the next four years, she covered major international developments — including Middle East peace efforts, humanitarian crises, and global diplomacy at the UN headquarters.
Her tenure at the United Nations allowed her to shift focus from conflict zones to the corridors of global decision-making, reporting on how international policies shaped events on the ground.
Washington D.C. and the State Department Role
Since 2014, Barbara Plett Usher has served as the BBC’s State Department Correspondent, reporting from Washington D.C. Her coverage includes U.S. foreign policy, relations with the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, and major global events involving the U.S. government.
Her reporting has been central during critical periods — including U.S. policy shifts under multiple administrations and the evolving dynamics of diplomacy in an increasingly multipolar world. She also occasionally reports on key domestic developments that influence America’s global role.
Middle East Correspondent and Africa Assignment
In 2019, she temporarily returned to Jerusalem as the Middle East Correspondent for six months, reinforcing her deep ties with the region. In recent years, Barbara Plett Usher transitioned into a broader global role, becoming the BBC Africa Correspondent, based in Nairobi, Kenya.
This position reflects her adaptability and continued relevance in international reporting. Covering issues from climate and migration to security and governance, she brings the same depth and fairness to African affairs that defined her earlier work.
Barbara Plett Usher’s Distinctive Reporting Style
Barbara Plett Usher’s journalism is marked by clarity, empathy, and impartiality. Her career has taken her from refugee camps to international summits, yet her storytelling remains deeply human.
She combines factual precision with an understanding of cultural and emotional context — a balance that few correspondents maintain. Her experience across continents allows her to connect the dots between local struggles and global systems, a hallmark of elite foreign correspondents.
Her calm on-screen presence and measured tone have earned her respect among peers and audiences alike. Whether covering diplomacy in Washington or conflict in the Middle East, she prioritises accuracy and insight over sensationalism.
Personal Life of Barbara Plett Usher
Barbara Plett Usher married Graham Usher, a fellow journalist known for his work in the Middle East, in 2003. Tragically, Graham passed away in 2013 from Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease at the age of 54.
Barbara has occasionally shared personal tributes on social media, remembering him as a partner in life and in journalism. While she keeps her personal life private, her posts reveal a deep sense of love and remembrance.
There is no verified public record of her having children. She continues to live between Washington D.C. and Nairobi, depending on her assignments.
Awards, Recognition, and Legacy
While Barbara Plett Usher’s career has not been driven by personal awards, her greatest recognition lies in the trust of audiences worldwide. She has represented the BBC with integrity in high-stakes international arenas, contributing to the organisation’s reputation for balanced global coverage.
Her reporting from the Middle East, South Asia, and the United States has helped shape public understanding of complex geopolitical realities. She stands among the most experienced foreign correspondents in the BBC network — a symbol of resilience, accuracy, and journalistic ethics.
Conclusion: The Lasting Influence of Barbara Plett Usher
Barbara Plett Usher’s journey from a journalism student in Canada to a global correspondent for BBC News exemplifies courage, professionalism, and dedication. Over the past three decades, she has chronicled history in real time — from wars and peace processes to humanitarian struggles and diplomatic breakthroughs.
Her voice remains one of the BBC’s most trusted in global reporting. As the BBC Africa Correspondent, she continues to highlight untold stories from across the continent while maintaining her signature journalistic balance.
For aspiring journalists and seasoned professionals alike, Barbara Plett Usher represents the essence of thoughtful, ethical, and impactful journalism — a career defined by truth, empathy, and the enduring power of storytelling.
FAQs
1. Who is Barbara Plett Usher’s husband?
Barbara Plett Usher was married to Graham Usher, a respected journalist who reported widely on Middle Eastern affairs. He passed away in 2013 after a brief illness.
2. Has Barbara Plett Usher left the BBC?
No, Barbara Plett Usher has not left the BBC. She continues to work as a BBC Africa Correspondent, based in Nairobi, Kenya, after previously serving as State Department Correspondent in Washington D.C.
3. How old is Barbara Plett Usher?
Barbara Plett Usher was born in 1967 in Manitoba, Canada, which makes her 58 years old as of 2025.
4. Where does Barbara Plett Usher work now?
She currently works for BBC News as the Africa Correspondent, covering political, social, and diplomatic stories across the African continent.
5. What is Barbara Plett Usher’s nationality?
Barbara Plett Usher is Canadian-born and holds Canadian nationality, though she has spent much of her professional life working internationally with the BBC.
