Shelly Kittleson

Journalist

American Mount Horeb, Monticello, Wisconsin, United States

Quick Info

ProfessionJournalist
NationalityAmerican
Date of Birth18/09/1976
Age49 years
BirthplaceMount Horeb, Monticello, Wisconsin, United States

Latest News about Shelly Kittleson

31/03/2026

American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in central Baghdad near the Baghdad hotel on al-Saadoun Street by unidentified armed men who forced her into a car, as captured on surveillance footage. Iraq's interior ministry confirmed the abduction of a foreign journalist and launched security operations, with one suspect detained, though her whereabouts remained unknown. She was in Iraq reporting on the impact of the US-Israel war on Iran and had been warned of kidnapping risks by Kataib Hezbollah but continued her work.

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Bio/Wiki

Biography
  • At nineteen, moved from the United States to Italy, working as a translator.
  • Learned Russian and later moved to Uzbekistan and then to Afghanistan.
  • Started as a writer and photographer, with early reports focusing on Afghanistan.
  • Began working as a Freelance Journalist in 2010 for various US, Italian, and global news channels.
  • Reported from Afghanistan and the Middle East, then joined RAI Radio 3 from 2012 to 2014.
  • Released a radio documentary in May 2012 titled 'Lex e Sharia: La Giustizia Afghana in Mani Italiane.'
  • Worked as an Italian-to-English translator at ANSA from August 2012.
  • Joined Al-Monitor in September 2014, covering Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.
  • Received the Caravella Prize in 2017 for her work in war areas.
  • Worked as a Freelance Journalist for Al Majalla from January 2023, reporting from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and the Middle East.
  • Made headlines in April 2026 when kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraq.
  • Contributed to publications including Foreign Policy, BBC, Politico, and New Lines Magazine.
  • Made headlines on 31/03/2026 when kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraq, near the Baghdad hotel on al-Saadoun Street by unidentified men.

Physical Stats & More

Eye ColourBlue
Hair ColourLight Golden Blonde

Educational Qualification(s)

College/University
  • Global Journalist Security, Washington D.C.
  • Istituto di Lingua e Cultura Russa, Rome, Italy
Qualifications
  • Hostile Environments Training Course (HEFAT) certificate from Global Journalist Security (2014)
  • A Diploma in Russian Language from Istituto di Lingua e Cultura Russa

Personal Life

Food HabitNon-vegetarian

Relationships & More

Marital StatusUnmarried

Family

Parents
MotherBarb Kittleson

Career

Highlights
  • Freelance Journalist
  • Worked in various news channels including RAI Radio 3 and Al-Monitor.

Favourites

Interests
  • Travelling to distant places
  • Reading books

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Moved to Italy at nineteen, worked multiple jobs including as a translator.
2. Has a pet dog and often shares pictures on social media.
3. From a poor family in the Midwest, Wisconsin, inspired by her grandmother's National Geographic collection to pursue journalism.
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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