Who Is Paul Werdel? The Man Behind Amna Nawaz’s Rise in Journalism
You’ve probably watched Amna Nawaz on PBS NewsHour and thought, “Damn, she’s good – calm, sharp, unflappable.”
But behind every woman who looks that steady on camera is usually someone at home holding everything together when the world feels like it’s cracking.
For Amna, that person is her husband Paul Werdel. And honestly? His story hits harder than most of the “power couple” tales we usually hear.
Because Paul didn’t just “support” her. He straight-up paused his own impressive career so she could go all-in. In 2025 that’s still rare as hell for a man to do without making it part of his brand.
Who Actually Is Paul Werdel?
He’s the guy who used to run in the same high-pressure newsrooms as Amna, only he was usually the one producing, directing, or figuring out how to get millions of people to actually read the news on their phones.
Paul cut his teeth at places most journalists would kill to work:
BBC World News (producer/director)
Al Jazeera English (news editor during some of the wildest years in global news)
TPM Media (senior editorial roles)
The New York Times (rose all the way to product director, helping shape how the biggest newspaper on earth survived the internet)
People who worked with him say the same thing: ridiculously capable, zero ego, gets things done.
Then in 2018, when Amna got the PBS gig and their kids were still little, Paul looked at the chaos of two big careers + expensive D.C. childcare + nonstop travel and said, “You know what? I’ll step back.”
Just like that. Left the Times. Became the full-time parent.
Paul Werdel Career Timeline
| Year | Role / Position | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–2010 | Producer / Director | BBC World News |
| 2010–2014 | News Editor | Al Jazeera English |
| 2014–2017 | Senior Editorial Roles | TPM Media |
| 2017–2018 | Product Director | The New York Times |
| 2018–Present | Full-Time Parent & Occasional Freelance Work | Washington, D.C. |
The Moment That Still Makes Me Tear Up
In a 2025 interview with Executive Woman Media, Amna talked about coming home shattered after covering the Uvalde school shooting. She thought she was hiding it. Paul took one look at her and said, “You’re not okay. We need to get you help.”
He didn’t just notice – he acted. Found her a therapist, held the fort, kept the family running while she processed trauma most of us can’t imagine.
That’s not “supportive husband” checklist behavior. That’s ride-or-die, I-see-you-when-you-can’t-see-yourself love.
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What Paul Does All Day Now (And Why It Matters)
School drop-offs. Packing lunches with the little notes inside. Remembering which kid hates crusts this week. Soccer practices, doctor appointments, the endless laundry mountain.
He freelances sometimes when the kids are in school, but mostly? He’s dad. Fully present, no half-measures.
And yeah, he could have kept climbing the media ladder. Instead he chose the harder thing: being the parent who is always there.
Why This Story Feels Different in 2025
We’re finally seeing more men do this – step back so their wives can sprint – but Paul was doing it years before it trended on TikTok. No announcement, no “I’m a girl dad” merch, no podcast about modern masculinity. Just quietly rewrote the script.
And it worked. Amna became the first Asian American and first Muslim co-anchor of a major network newscast. Their daughters grow up watching their mom kill it on TV and knowing their dad kill it at home.
That’s the blueprint.
Paul Werdel isn’t famous. He doesn’t want to be. But every time you see Amna Nawaz look calm while delivering awful news to millions of people, remember there’s a guy in D.C. right now cutting the crusts off sandwiches and making sure therapy appointments who made that composure possible.
Some heroes wear capes. Others pack lunches and never complain.
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FAQ:
Who is Paul Werdel?
A former top-tier journalist and New York Times product director who left his career to raise his kids so Amna Nawaz could become one of the most important anchors in America.
How long have Paul Werdel and Amna Nawaz been together?
Married since 2007 – that’s 18 years as of 2025. Met through journalism circles, built a beautiful interfaith, intercultural family.
Do they have kids?
Yes, two daughters. Paul is the primary parent and absolutely nails it.
How old is Paul Werdel?
He’s in his mid-to-late 40s (born November 17, exact year kept private like a normal human).
Did Paul Werdel really quit The New York Times for his family?
Yes. 2018. No drama, no Substack essay about it. Just did it.
Is Paul Werdel on social media?
Nope. The man values privacy the way some people value oxygen.
Why do people keep searching for Paul Werdel?
Because we’re all secretly hoping our partners would do the same thing he did – see what we need before we even say it out loud.
Does Paul regret leaving his career?
Every single thing I’ve ever read or heard says no. He got to be there for every school play, every fever, every random Tuesday afternoon when his kids needed him most.
