Ariana Huffington

Ariana Huffington
Name	Arianna Huffington
Birth name	Arianna Stassinopoulos
Birth date	15 July 1950
Birth place	Athens, Greece
Nationality	Greek-American
Education	Girton College, Cambridge (MA)
Occupation	Author, businesswoman, syndicated columnist
Known for	Co-founding The Huffington Post, founding Thrive Global
Spouse	Michael Huffington, 1986, 1997

Ariana Huffington is a Greek-American author, businesswoman, and syndicated columnist, renowned for co-founding the influential news and opinion website The Huffington Post. After a successful career in media and political commentary, she sold the site to AOL in 2011 and later founded the corporate and consumer well-being company Thrive Global. Her work has earned her a place on lists such as *Time* magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people and recognition from publications like Forbes.

Early life and education

Born Arianna Stassinopoulos in Athens, she was raised by her mother after her father's business ventures failed. She moved to the United Kingdom at age 16 to study economics at Girton College, Cambridge, where she became the first foreign-born president of the famed Cambridge Union. Her early intellectual pursuits led to the publication of her first book, a biography of Maria Callas, which established her as a promising young author and set the stage for her move to New York City.

Career

Her initial career in the United States focused on writing and political commentary, with books on figures like Picasso and a syndicated column. She became a prominent figure in conservative circles, supporting her then-husband Michael Huffington's political campaigns for the U.S. House and Senate in California. She later moderated her political views, appearing frequently on programs like Real Time with Bill Maher and serving on the board of the Center for Public Integrity. Her media presence expanded with roles at networks like MSNBC and contributions to publications including The New York Times.

The Huffington Post

In 2005, she co-founded The Huffington Post with Kenneth Lerer and Jonah Peretti, launching it with backing from investors like SoftBank. The site pioneered a model of aggregated news and blog commentary from a wide array of voices, including celebrities, politicians, and experts. It quickly grew into a major force in digital media, winning a Pulitzer Prize for national reporting in 2012. The site's success led to its acquisition by AOL for $315 million, where she served as president and editor-in-chief of the resulting Huffington Post Media Group.

Post-Huffington Post ventures

After leaving her namesake site in 2016, she founded Thrive Global, a company focused on combating burnout and promoting well-being in corporate and consumer markets. The venture received funding from investors like Lerer Hippeau Ventures and IVP and partners with major firms like JPMorgan Chase and Accenture. She continues to be a prolific author, writing bestsellers such as *Thrive* and *The Sleep Revolution*, and remains a sought-after speaker on topics of workplace wellness and leadership.

Personal life

She was married to former Republican congressman Michael Huffington from 1986 until their divorce in 1997; they have two daughters. A transformative personal experience occurred in 2007 when she collapsed from exhaustion, an event that profoundly influenced her later advocacy for sleep and well-being. She is a practicing Greek Orthodox Christian and has been romantically linked to individuals such as journalist Bill Emmott. Her sister, Agapi Stassinopoulos, is also a noted author and speaker.

Awards and recognition

Her influence has been widely recognized, including being named to the Time 100 list in 2011 and the Forbes list of the world's most powerful women. She has received honorary degrees from institutions like Bard College and Smith College and was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Other accolades include the Webby Award for Person of the Year and recognition from organizations such as the International Center for Journalists and the Women's Media Center.

Category:1950 births Category:Living people Category:American businesswomen Category:American columnists Category:Greek emigrants to the United States