Vanessa Burggraf

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Well, here’s a name that has caused a buzz, Vanessa Burggraf. Born on December 31, 1971, in Mulhouse, she is now 53 years old, about 1.70 m tall and, you know what, she has been leading nothing less than France 24 since June 2021. Not bad for a journalist who started far from the spotlight of TV studios.

You definitely recognize her voice, especially if you follow political news and heated debates. But before being under the spotlight, Vanessa worked hard, really hard. With a DEA in literature and a DESS in political communication in hand, she seriously dove into journalism.

Her family? A bit like a tight-knit team: she has a brother, Steve, who founded Big Fernand (yes, the awesome burger), and a sister in finance. That’s impressive, right? Serious-minded family, then, but also sometimes sharp exchanges on TV that are not easily forgotten.

Honestly, you never see her playing safe, Vanessa. Her stint on the show On n’est pas couché, between 2016 and 2017, left a mark — not always for the right reasons, to be honest. And since then, her return to journalism has been something like a winning comeback.

Vanessa Burggraf, the identity of a journalist with a strong tone

Born in 1971 in Mulhouse, Vanessa has established herself as an essential voice in French journalism. Her CV is solid: DEA in literature, DESS in political and social communication, sharp political specialty with her work on protests at the RPR (a thing that may seem a bit old-fashioned but says a lot about her rigor).

She dislikes empty talk, it shows in her style. She is a woman with character, no wonder her interventions sometimes cause waves.

She has an entrepreneur brother and a sister in finance, a pretty classic serious family, and she went towards the airwaves and TV studios. A real passion-driven job, you know.

If we were to sum up her public image: a journalist about 1.70 m tall, grounded, who doesn’t mince words, which sometimes earned her a reputation of being a “somewhat icy woman” (according to some), but honestly, she has real depth.

The beginnings of Vanessa Burggraf before the big TV plunge

Before stirring up debates on TV, the young lady started with an internship on the show Thé ou Café, imagine? A softer, calmer kind of TV. Nothing like her more abrupt tone later on.

After that, she went to London to work on Bloomberg TV. There, she tackled economic news, challenging topics that require a serious blend of rigor and clarity to reach the public.

Coming back to Paris in 2001 meant TV5 Monde for her, focusing on international news. You’ve got to be sharp, as they say. It highlights her curiosity and interest in the whole world, not just France.

Then, in 2006, the launch of France 24, a major step. She presented Paris Direct and hosted Une semaine en Afrique, a show dedicated to the African continent. Big responsibility, quite a challenge!

Standout successes in Vanessa Burggraf’s career

From 2012 to 2016, she steered Le Débat on France 24, the show where discussions really vibrate around international current affairs. That period clearly demonstrated her talent in managing tough exchanges, with grit and authenticity.

But wait, in 2016, French TV discovered her differently with her role as a columnist on On n’est pas couché. She replaced Léa Salamé, and that was another story. Criticism did not wait, and she experienced a turbulent year, sometimes with some serious clashes.

Between embarrassing fits of laughter and controversies about her remarks (remember her tense exchange with Najat Vallaud-Belkacem), Vanessa truly carved her niche in viewers’ hearts. Not always loved, certainly, but never ignored.

Ultimately, in 2017, she left the show to return to France 24, where she took on a high-responsibility role as head of the French editorial team, then in 2021, became the overall director of the channel.

Private life, anecdotes, and memorable moments of Vanessa Burggraf

In her personal life, Vanessa is mother to two daughters, which has often helped her maintain balance against public pressure. Nothing much has really leaked about her private life, which is quite rare nowadays.

But it’s especially her TV appearances that catch attention. The infamous uncontrollable laughter facing Philippe Poutou, which teased him a bit and revealed a certain distance from some guests’ social realities. Not glorious, but honestly human.

Her confrontation with Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, who accused her of spreading fake news about the spelling reform, left a mark. That kind of moment makes her a bit unforgettable, right?

Several times, she also had sharp exchanges with political personalities, showing she’s not afraid to be frank, even if it ruffles feathers.

Vanessa Burggraf’s recent projects and her future at France 24

Since she has been at the head of France 24, Vanessa Burggraf hasn’t been idle. She manages four channels, a huge challenge with the diversity of languages and audiences (French, English, Arabic, Spanish).

Between her role as director and occasional on-screen appearances, she keeps the helm in a context where information is more scrutinized and sometimes challenged than ever.

She often works behind the scenes, but is never far from hot news, seriously assuming this enormous responsibility. She is a real part of the international news you follow.

In this role, she collaborates with many renowned journalists and oversees the editorial line, keeping an eye on the quality and relevance of the content. Vanessa is clearly in a long-term dynamic.

List of key moments to remember about Vanessa Burggraf 🌟

  • 🎤 Started journalism with an internship on Thé ou Café
  • 🌍 Worked at Bloomberg TV in London, economic focus
  • 📺 Participated in the launch of France 24 in 2006
  • 🗣 Columnist on On n’est pas couché in 2016-2017
  • 🚀 Director of the four France 24 channels since 2021

Why does Vanessa Burggraf remain an essential figure in French journalism?

She may not have always been the audience favorite, but it’s impossible to deny she has marked several generations of viewers with her direct style and professional rigor.

Her time at France 24 now gives her a major role, less in the spotlight, but with real impact on how international news is produced. It’s a true comeback against the criticism of the ONPC era.

Her somewhat tough personality and intellectual honesty mean she doesn’t just say what the audience wants to hear. Well, you may like it or not, but that’s what spices up the debate.

In short, Vanessa is a bit like a good wine that gains strength with the years and still has plenty of great stories to tell us.

Who is Vanessa Burggraf?

Vanessa Burggraf is a French journalist born in 1971 in Mulhouse, director of France 24 since 2021 and former columnist on On n’est pas couché.

What is Vanessa Burggraf’s education?

She holds a DEA in literature and a DESS in political and social communication, obtained in 1996, which gave her a solid foundation for her journalistic career.

What are the highlights of her career?

She worked at Bloomberg TV, TV5 Monde, participated in the launch of France 24, hosted Le Débat on France 24, was a columnist on On n’est pas couché, then appointed director of France 24.

Why did Vanessa Burggraf leave ‘On n’est pas couché’?

Following criticism and controversies regarding her style and remarks, she ultimately decided to leave the show in 2017 to return to France 24.

What are her current projects?

Vanessa Burggraf directs the four France 24 channels, overseeing editorial content and the broadcasting of international news in several languages.

If you want to dig a little deeper into her career and news, feel free to check out her profile on Wikipedia or her dedicated page on France 24. For a more intimate look and juicy anecdotes, you can also find interviews like the one on Programme TV or discover her engagements and controversies via Le Figaro and Huffington Post.


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