The Unconventional Romance of Christiane Amanpour and James Rubin: A Power Couple's Journey Through Love, Career, and Co-Parenting

Christiane Amanpour, the renowned British-Iranian journalist and Chief International Anchor for CNN, has carved out a formidable career reporting from the world's most dangerous conflict zones and interviewing global leaders. Her public life has been defined by unwavering professionalism and a relentless pursuit of truth. Behind the headlines, however, her romantic journey has been largely centered on one significant relationship: her marriage to former U.S. diplomat James Rubin, a partnership that navigated the complexities of two high-powered careers and continues to evolve even after their divorce.

Their paths first crossed professionally in 1993, when Rubin served as a key figure in the U.S. State Department under then-U.N. Ambassador Madeleine Albright, and Amanpour was already a prominent correspondent covering the tumultuous Balkans. Initial interactions were strictly business, but a deeper connection began to form during Albright's diplomatic trip to the Balkans in May 1997. It was in Zagreb that Rubin reportedly asked Amanpour for drinks, marking the casual start of their romance. A month later, a "proper dinner" in New York solidified their burgeoning relationship. Their whirlwind courtship culminated in a proposal from Rubin on a beach in Tobago after Christmas of 1997.

The news of their engagement in January 1998 generated considerable buzz, given their respective high-profile roles. Christiane Amanpour and James Rubin exchanged vows on August 8, 1998, in a Roman Catholic ceremony at Saint Stephen in Bracciano, Italy. Their union brought together two individuals deeply immersed in international affairs, leading to public discussions about potential conflicts of interest, which both firmly dismissed, asserting their professional integrity and independent reporting. Rubin famously quipped that people would likely think he was "just lucky to be married to her."

In March 2000, the couple welcomed their son, Darius John Rubin, into the world. For years, their family life was primarily based in London, where Rubin had relocated to join Amanpour, stepping away from his high-profile government role. They later moved to New York City in 2010 before ultimately returning to London permanently in 2013. Throughout their marriage, Amanpour often spoke about the immense challenge of balancing a demanding career that required extensive travel to global hotspots with the responsibilities of motherhood, acknowledging the constant juggling act required.

Despite their efforts to maintain a private family life amidst their public careers, the inherent strains of their demanding professions eventually took their toll. After 20 years of marriage, Amanpour and Rubin announced their decision to divorce in July 2018. Amanpour later confirmed that the separation was a mutual decision, stemming from the intense pressures of their respective careers and a gradual realization that their lives were "just going in different directions." She emphasized that it was "not a dramatic breakup, just a gradual realization that we were no longer in the same place."

Following their divorce, Christiane Amanpour has remained single, focusing on her illustrious career. However, the bond between her and James Rubin endured, particularly in their shared commitment to co-parenting Darius. They made a conscious effort to maintain an amicable relationship, even reportedly hosting a "divorce party of sorts" and continuing to take family holidays together. This respectful post-marital dynamic has recently taken a unique public turn.

In May 2025, Amanpour and Rubin launched a new podcast titled “Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex-Files With Jamie Rubin.” The weekly foreign affairs show, produced by Global, sees the former couple, separated by an ocean, discussing global crises and conflict zones, often drawing on their shared experiences and insider knowledge. Amanpour has expressed that the podcast serves as an example of how former partners can collaborate respectfully, hoping to model a constructive approach to dialogue in a divided world. This unconventional collaboration underscores the enduring, albeit redefined, partnership between two individuals whose lives have been inextricably linked by their shared passion for international affairs.