Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson is an American journalist. She was previously an international correspondent for NPR, heading up bureaus in Kabul, Cairo and Berlin during her 13 years with the network.

Early life and education Nelson grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the daughter of a German mother and Iranian father. She also spent some of her childhood in Iran, where her family resided for several years. She graduated high school in 1981 from Fallston High School in Maryland.

She received her undergraduate degree from the College of Journalism at University of Maryland, College Park in 1985. The award recognized Nelson's efforts over the previous year, which included a series on Afghan citizens turning to drugs to escape everyday miseries and the country's limited ability to offer rehabilitation; the story of determined girls breaking societal taboos and facing dangers to pursue an education; and a detailed account of how US Marines struggle to establish trust with locals in order to combat the Taliban. Peabody judges concluded that "No reporter in any medium gives us a better sense of the variety of life inside Afghanistan."

In June 2010, Nelson was assigned to cover the Arab World from NPR's Cairo, Egypt, bureau.

She received the Gracie Award and Overseas Press Club Award in 2010.

Personal life Nelson lives in Berlin. She speaks Persian, Dari and German in addition to her native English.

Nelson is married to Erik Nelson, a fellow alum of the University of Maryland. They have one son.