Kirsty Young: British Television and
radio presenter biography
Full
Name: Kirsty Jackson Young
Date of
Birth: November 23, 1968
Place of
Birth: Glasgow, Scotland
Nationality: British
Occupation:
Television and radio presenter
Height:
Approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
Early
Life and Education
Kirsty Young was
born in Glasgow and raised in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire. She
attended Cambusbarron Primary School and
Stirling High School. Opting not to pursue
university education, she began her media
career as a runner and researcher, demonstrating early ambition and drive.
In her teenage years, she faced and overcame bulimia, an experience she has
candidly discussed in interviews, highlighting her resilience and
self-awareness.
Career
Young's
broadcasting journey commenced in 1989 as a continuity announcer for BBC Radio
Scotland. By 1992, she transitioned to Scottish Television, presenting "Scotland Today" and later
hosting her own chat show, "Kirsty."
In 1997, she became the face of Channel 5 News, bringing a modern and
engaging approach to news presentation.
In 2006, Young
took over as the host of BBC Radio 4's
"Desert Island Discs," a role she held until 2018. Her tenure
revitalized the program, infusing it with depth and warmth. She also presented
BBC One's "Crimewatch" from
2008 to 2015 and hosted documentary series such as "The British Family" and "The British at Work." In 2022, she led BBC's coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral,
earning acclaim for her heartfelt closing monologue.
Personal
Life
In 1999, Young married Nick Jones, founder of the Soho House private members' club. The
couple has two daughters and resides
in Bampton, Oxfordshire. In 2021, they purchased Inchconnachan, an island in
Loch Lomond, with plans to develop holiday accommodations. The proposal to
relocate the island's wild wallaby population for development purposes sparked
controversy among conservationists.
Health
and Advocacy
In 2018, Young
stepped down from "Desert Island
Discs" due to health issues, later revealing she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and rheumatoid
arthritis. She has since become an advocate for chronic pain awareness, sharing
her experiences to shed light on the condition's challenges. In a 2024
interview, she described the profound impact of chronic pain on her identity
and well-being.
Net Worth
Estimates of
Young's net worth vary, with some sources suggesting figures as high as $145 million. However, such estimates
may be speculative, as detailed financial information about her earnings and
assets is not publicly available.
