Natasha Kaplinsky Biography: Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Ethnicity, Kids, Husband, TV Shows

Natasha Kaplinsky is a British broadcaster, newsreader, and journalist, widely known for her work on BBC News, Channel 5, and ITV.

Born on September 9, 1972, in Brighton, England, she rose to national fame through her polished delivery and warm on-screen presence.

She became the first winner of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004 and later became one of the UK’s highest-paid news presenters.

Profile

• Full Name: Natasha Margaret Kaplinsky
• Stage Name: Natasha Kaplinsky
• Born: September 9, 1972
• Age: 52 years old
• Birthplace: Brighton, East Sussex, England
• Nationality: British
• Occupation: Broadcaster, Newsreader, Journalist, Charity Ambassador
• Height: 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m)
• Parent: Raphael Kaplinsky (father), Catherine Kaplinsky (mother)
• Siblings: One brother
• Spouse: Justin Bower
• Children: Angelica Pearl Bower, Arlo Bower
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Natasha Kaplinsky was born on September 9, 1972, in Brighton, East Sussex, England. She is 52 years old. She was born into an academically inclined family.

Her father, Professor Raphael Kaplinsky, is a South African-born economist and academic who has worked extensively in development studies, while her mother, Catherine Kaplinsky, is a psychotherapist. Natasha has one sibling, a brother, though he mostly stays out of the public eye.

Her family background is Jewish, and she practices Judaism. She is of Eastern European Jewish descent — her paternal family were Jewish refugees from Eastern Europe who later settled in South Africa.

Natasha spent a part of her early childhood in Kenya, where her father worked for the United Nations, before the family returned to the UK. She attended Ringmer Community College in East Sussex and then moved on to Varndean College for her A-levels.

Natasha later studied English at Hertford College, University of Oxford, where she earned her degree. Her time at Oxford provided a solid foundation for her later career in journalism and broadcasting.

Career

Natasha Kaplinsky began her television career with Meridian, a regional ITV station, before joining Sky News in 2000. She gained national attention as a newsreader on BBC News, where she co-hosted major programs such as BBC Breakfast and the Six O’Clock News.

Her professionalism, poise, and engaging style quickly made her a familiar face to UK audiences. In 2007, she made a high-profile move to Channel 5, becoming the face of their news programming in a record-breaking deal for a female newsreader in the UK.

She later worked with ITV and hosted several current affairs and documentary series. Kaplinsky also became the first-ever winner of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, which significantly raised her public profile.

In 2022, she was appointed President of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), where she oversees matters of film ratings, content classification, and viewer guidance in the UK.

Awards and Nominations

• BAFTA Award (as part of the BBC News team)
• RTS Television Journalism Awards (nominated)
• Winner, Strictly Come Dancing (2004)

Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2017 for services to the Holocaust Commission and charitable work

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @kaplinskyn

Personal Life

Natasha Kaplinsky is currently married to investment banker Justin Bower. The couple has been together for several years and officially tied the knot in 2005.

Their marriage has remained strong and relatively private, away from the spotlight. Together, they share two children: a daughter named Angelica Pearl Bower and a son named Arlo Bower.

Before her marriage to Bower, Natasha had not been publicly linked to any other serious relationship. Regarding her height, Natasha Kaplinsky stands at a height of 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 meters).

Television Appearances

• BBC Breakfast (co-presenter)
• BBC News at Six (co-presenter)
• Five News with Natasha Kaplinsky
• Strictly Come Dancing (Season 1, Winner)
• Born to Shine (ITV, presenter)
• The People’s Medal (BBC)
• Real Stories with Natasha Kaplinsky
• The Holocaust Survivors Testimony Project (documentary involvement)

Net Worth

Natasha Kaplinsky has an estimated net worth of $5 million. Her wealth primarily comes from her long-standing career as a television newsreader and presenter. Over the years, she has worked with some of the UK’s major broadcasters, including the BBC, Sky News, Channel 5, and ITV.

Her move to Channel 5 in 2007 was one of the most talked-about contracts in British television at the time, reportedly making her one of the highest-paid news anchors in the country.

In addition to her salary from television presenting, Kaplinsky has earned from public speaking engagements, hosting high-profile events, and occasional brand partnerships. Her victory on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004 also boosted her public profile and market value.