Who Is Amanda Lindhout? Age, Biography and Wiki
Amanda Lindhout was born on June 12, 1981, making her 43 years old in 2025. A Canadian journalist and humanitarian, Amanda gained international recognition after her harrowing experience of being kidnapped in Somalia in 2008. Her storyline of survival and resilience has inspired many, leading her to advocate for human rights and humanitarian causes. You can find more detailed information about her life and contributions on her Wikipedia page.
Occupation | Autobiographer |
---|---|
Date of Birth | June 12, 1981 |
Age | 44 Years |
Birth Place | Red Deer, Alberta, Canada |
Horoscope | Gemini |
Country | Canada |
Popularity
Amanda Lindhout's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Amanda Lindhout stands at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall. While her exact weight is not publicly disclosed, she is often noted for her fitness and dedication to a healthy lifestyle. Her measurements are representative of someone who prioritizes well-being, likely enjoying activities that promote both physical and mental health.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Amanda is reportedly single and focuses on her career and philanthropic efforts. While she has been linked to various individuals in the past, she has chosen to keep her dating life private. Amanda values her independence and has made it clear that her primary focus remains on her activism and journalistic endeavors rather than romantic relationships.
After her parents separated, Lindhout lived in Sylvan Lake, Alberta. She and her two brothers (Mark and Nathaniel) were raised by their mother, Lorinda, with Amanda spending much of her youth reading National Geographic Magazine. Lindhout's father had chronic health problems, and depended on disability payments. Her mother held a minimum-wage job.
Lindhout had early aspirations to become a model and did some brief modelling work. She also considered enrolling in a beautician's school.
Net Worth and Salary
Amanda Lindhout's net worth is estimated to be around $1 million as of 2025. Her earnings stem from her work as a journalist, speaker, and author. Amanda has written extensively about her experiences, including her memoir "A House in the Sky," which has received critical acclaim and contributed to her financial success. Moreover, her engagement in humanitarian initiatives and speaking engagements have further solidified her financial standing.
At the age of 24, Lindhout quit her job as a cocktail waitress to become a journalist. She used her salary from the bar where she worked to finance reporting trips to various conflict zones around the world. Lindhout began her new journalism career in Afghanistan, arriving in the capital Kabul in May 2007.
She later moved on to an assignment in Baghdad, Iraq in January 2008, where she worked on a freelance basis for Iran's state television Press TV. This led some Canadian reporters to criticize her, due to Press TV's reputation for producing state propaganda. While in Iraq, reports indicated that Lindhout had been kidnapped in Sadr City.
She was said to have been released several hours later, after paying a ransom to her abductors. However, Lindhout in her book denied having been kidnapped in Iraq.
She wrote that she was instead taken to the Sadr Party Headquarters and questioned about her political affiliations, and that she was able to call an Iraqi friend who ensured they were released within the hour.
Career, Business, and Investments
Amanda Lindhout's career began in journalism, but her kidnapping incident significantly shifted her focus towards humanitarian work. In 2010, she co-founded the Global Enrichment Foundation, aimed at empowering women and children in Somalia through education and health initiatives. Her gravitas extends beyond journalism into entrepreneurship, where she invests in projects that align with her humanitarian values.
Her presentations and workshops on resilience and the human spirit also contribute to her influence and income, showcasing her transition from journalist to a well-respected figure in humanitarian advocacy.
Amanda Lindhout (born June 12, 1981) is a Canadian humanitarian, public speaker and journalist. On August 23, 2008, she and members of her entourage were kidnapped by Islamist insurgents in southern Somalia. She was released 15 months later on November 25, 2009, and has since embarked on a philanthropic career.
In 2013, she released the book, A House in the Sky: A Memoir, in which she recounts her early life, travels as a young adult, and hostage experience. In 2014, the book was optioned to become a major motion picture by Megan Ellison, with Rooney Mara playing the role of Lindhout.
Social Network
Amanda Lindhout is active on social media, particularly on Instagram and Twitter, where she shares insights into her ongoing projects, travels, and personal reflections. Her social media presence serves not only to keep her followers updated but also to foster a community of like-minded individuals committed to making a difference in the world.
On November 25, 2009, after 460 days as a hostage, Lindhout and Brennan were released following a ransom payment made by their families through a private firm that specializes in kidnappings and ransom payments. She was hospitalized in Nairobi for two weeks and treated for acute malnourishment.
Following her release, Lindhout said she found the coverage of her hostage experience to be sensational. In September 2013, Tina Brown of the Daily Beast was accused of falsely printing stories about Lindhout during her captivity, including an incorrect story about an alleged Lindhout pregnancy that never took place.
A resulting retraction was printed by National Public Radio in response to Brown's comments.
Education
Amanda Lindhout's academic background includes attending several institutions where she honed her skills in journalism and communication. Her real-world experiences, notably her time in Somalia and subsequent advocacy work, have provided her with an invaluable education beyond the classroom, shaping her perspective and approach to storytelling and humanitarian efforts.
In 2010, Lindhout founded the Global Enrichment Foundation to create more opportunities in Somalia by offering university scholarships to women. Lindhout currently serves as the organization's Executive Director, with Ahmed Hussen, the president of the Canadian Somali Congress, acting as the Fund's co-director.
Aurala Warsame, a Somali researcher at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, supervises the program and vetted the first applicants.