Isa Soares: The Portuguese Powerhouse Behind CNN’s Global News Frontline
Who is Isa Soares?
Isa Soares is an award-winning Portuguese journalist, international correspondent, and anchor for CNN International, based in London. Renowned for her fearless field reporting and sharp on-air presence, she currently hosts Isa Soares Tonight, a primetime show that explores global politics, culture, and business with exceptional insight and integrity. Over the past decade, Soares has become one of CNN’s most recognisable faces, leading coverage of some of the most challenging and transformative stories across the world.
Isa Soares: Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal, Isa Soares developed an early curiosity for languages, cultures, and global affairs. She spent part of her youth in Andalusia, Spain, which helped her become fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English—a skill that would later define her as a global communicator in journalism.
Her academic foundation is equally impressive. Soares earned her Bachelor’s degree in Lusophone and Latin American Studies from King’s College London, where she explored the political and cultural connections between Portuguese-speaking nations. She then completed her Master of Science in International Relations and Economics at the University of Bristol in 2003. This dual grounding in politics and economics provided her with a nuanced understanding of global systems—something that has been instrumental throughout her journalistic career.
From Intern to International Correspondent at CNN
Isa Soares’s journey with CNN began humbly. She joined the network as an intern, eager to learn the ropes of international broadcast journalism. Through hard work, professionalism, and an instinct for compelling storytelling, she rose steadily from a production assistant to a reporter, and eventually to a correspondent and anchor.
In 2015, Soares became a CNN correspondent, covering breaking news and major global developments. Her ability to report from crisis zones while maintaining empathy and accuracy quickly distinguished her as one of CNN’s most trusted journalists. In February 2020, she was appointed anchor of “Your World Today”, co-hosting alongside Cyril Vanier, before moving on to front her own primetime show, Isa Soares Tonight, in 2022.
Isa Soares Tonight: A Global Conversation
Launched in July 2022, Isa Soares Tonight airs weeknights at 19:00 GMT (20:00 CET / 14:00 ET) and is produced from CNN’s London bureau. The show provides a comprehensive look at the world’s top stories, drawing on Soares’s deep field experience and her knack for connecting complex global issues with human stories.
The programme covers a wide range of topics—from political instability and humanitarian crises to global economics and climate change. Soares’s approach is marked by her ability to merge rigorous journalism with a compassionate understanding of the human condition. Her conversations with policymakers, experts, and CNN correspondents offer clarity in an often chaotic news cycle.
Notable Field Reporting and Award-Winning Investigations
Venezuela’s Humanitarian Crisis
One of Isa Soares’s most significant assignments was her coverage of Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis. Her powerful reporting on the Maduro government’s illegal gold mining operations exposed the human and environmental toll of political corruption. For this investigation, titled Maduro’s Blood Gold, she earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Business, Consumer or Economic Reporting in 2020.
That same year, Soares went undercover in Caracas to document the horrifying conditions in public hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, an act of journalistic bravery that earned her an Emmy nomination. Her fearless pursuit of truth in one of the world’s most dangerous reporting environments cemented her reputation as a courageous and ethical journalist.
Reporting from Ukraine
In 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Isa Soares spent a month anchoring and reporting from the ground. Her coverage combined on-the-ground facts with human-centred storytelling, capturing the resilience of Ukrainian citizens amid devastation. For this work, she and her CNN colleagues received the prestigious DuPont Award, recognising excellence in broadcast journalism.
Brazil’s Political Shifts
Soares has also been a leading voice in CNN’s coverage of Brazil’s evolving political landscape. She reported live during the attack on democracy in Brasilia, offering real-time analysis as events unfolded. Her fluency in Portuguese and Spanish allowed her to communicate seamlessly with local communities, amplifying authentic voices from the ground.
European Coverage: Brexit, Migration, and Natural Disasters
Beyond Latin America, Isa Soares has reported extensively on Europe’s political and humanitarian shifts. She covered Brexit negotiations, Mediterranean migration crises, and region-wide elections, helping global audiences understand the continent’s rapidly changing identity.
In 2017, she was first on the ground in Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands following Hurricane Irma, documenting both the destruction and the human stories of survival. Her coverage of the Mediterranean migration crisis won her an AIB Award, further solidifying her standing among the world’s top international journalists.
Isa Soares’s Personal Life
Away from the newsroom, Isa Soares leads a rich and grounded personal life. She is married to Daniel (“Dani”) Quintero, a UK-based motorsport racer who has competed in Caterham racing. In her personal Instagram posts, she proudly refers to herself as a “#proudwife” and celebrates her husband’s achievements on the racing track.
Her family life is an essential source of strength. She is the mother of two sons, Tomás and Nicolás, and has a beloved pet dog named Lola. Her personal account, @isasoaresdequintero, highlights her life outside journalism — filled with family moments, travel to Portugal, and reflections on motherhood.
Soares often spends holidays in Lisbon, Alentejo, and Serra da Arrábida, cherishing her roots and staying connected to the warmth of Portuguese culture. Her posts often mix English and Portuguese captions, revealing a deep pride in her heritage.
A Multilingual Journalist Bridging Cultures
Isa Soares’s multicultural and multilingual background has been instrumental to her career. Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, she bridges diverse audiences and gives voice to stories across Europe and Latin America. Her linguistic versatility not only enhances her field reporting but also strengthens CNN’s ability to connect with global viewers across continents.
Her global identity — Portuguese by birth, British by residence, and Latin in spirit — embodies the cosmopolitan vision of CNN International. Whether reporting from Caracas, Kyiv, or Brussels, she delivers stories that transcend borders and focus on humanity.
Awards and Achievements
Throughout her career, Isa Soares has received numerous accolades for journalistic excellence:
-
Emmy Award (2020): For “Maduro’s Blood Gold” investigation.
-
Emmy Nomination (2021): For undercover reporting in Venezuela’s hospitals during COVID-19.
-
DuPont Award (2023): For coverage of the war in Ukraine.
-
AIB Award: For reporting on the Mediterranean migrant crisis.
These achievements underscore her dedication to telling stories that matter, even in the face of risk and adversity.
Isa Soares: The Human Behind the Headlines
Despite her high-profile career, Isa Soares remains approachable, empathetic, and deeply human. Her Instagram captions often blend gratitude and reflection, showing a journalist who understands the emotional weight of her work. “Sunshine, family, laughter — exactly the reset I needed,” she wrote in a recent post from Portugal, revealing how her family and home country continue to ground her amidst the intensity of global news.
Her professional journey reflects not only success but also resilience — the ability to balance the personal and the political, the emotional and the factual.
Conclusion: Isa Soares’s Legacy in Global Journalism
Isa Soares stands as a remarkable figure in international journalism — a professional who combines intellect, courage, and compassion. From her Lisbon roots to her global CNN platform, she exemplifies what it means to tell stories that make a difference.
Her work continues to influence public understanding of world affairs, bridging continents and cultures with empathy and truth. Whether investigating corruption, covering war zones, or anchoring global conversations, Isa Soares remains a symbol of integrity and excellence in modern journalism — a voice the world can trust.
FAQs
1. How old is Isa Soares?
Isa Soares was reportedly born on 6 January 1979 in Lisbon, Portugal, which makes her 46 years old as of 2025. However, her exact date of birth has not been officially confirmed by CNN or Isa herself.
2. Who is Isa Soares’s husband?
Isa Soares is married to Daniel (“Dani”) Quintero, a UK-based motorsport racer who has competed in Caterham racing. She has shared posts on Instagram celebrating her husband’s racing achievements, often using hashtags such as #husband and #proudwife.
3. Does Isa Soares have children?
Yes, Isa Soares is a mother of two sons, Tomás and Nicolás, and she often mentions them lovingly on her personal Instagram account, @isasoaresdequintero, alongside their family pet, Lola.
4. What does Isa Soares do at CNN?
Isa Soares is a London-based anchor and international correspondent for CNN International. She currently hosts “Isa Soares Tonight”, a primetime news programme that airs weeknights at 19:00 GMT (20:00 CET / 14:00 ET), where she covers major global issues across politics, business, and culture.
5. What awards has Isa Soares won?
Isa Soares has received several prestigious honours, including an Emmy Award for her investigation “Maduro’s Blood Gold”, an AIB Award for reporting on the Mediterranean migrant crisis, and a DuPont Award for her coverage of the war in Ukraine.
