Shelly Kittleson

Journalist

American Mount Horeb, Monticello, Wisconsin, United States Virgo

Quick Info

ProfessionJournalist
NationalityAmerican
Date of Birth18/09/1976
Age50 years
BirthplaceMount Horeb, Monticello, Wisconsin, United States
Zodiac SignVirgo

Latest News about Shelly Kittleson

07/04/2026

Shelly Kittleson was released from captivity in Baghdad after spending one week with her kidnappers. She was freed under the condition that she leave Iraq immediately, ending a high-profile abduction that involved an Iranian-aligned militia group. Iraqi authorities had taken one suspect into custody during the search for her captors.

31/03/2026

Shelly Kittleson was abducted in central Baghdad by unidentified armed men, prompting a security response from Iraqi authorities. Officials said a foreign journalist had been kidnapped and launched an investigation, while one suspect was detained as the search continued. The incident drew major international attention because she was working as a freelance correspondent in the Middle East at the time.

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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.
  • Made headlines on 31/03/2026 when kidnapped in Baghdad, Iraq, near al-Saadoun Street by unidentified men.
  • Released on 07/04/2026 after a week in captivity, under the condition that she leave Iraq immediately.

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

Social Media

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/shellyrkittleson/
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/shelly.kittleson.3/
Twitterhttps://x.com/shellykittleson
LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-kittleson-b588098/

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.

Also born on 18 September

Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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