Miatta Fahnbulleh Biography: Awards, Age, Politics, Height, Parents, Net Worth, Husband, Civil War

Miatta Nema Fahnbulleh is a British-Liberian economist and politician whose expertise in development economics and public policy has propelled her into high-level roles within government, academia, and think tanks.

She made significant headlines when she was elected as Member of Parliament for Peckham in the United Kingdom in 2024 and was swiftly appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Consumers in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

In 2025, she was additionally appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Profile

• Full name: Miatta Nema Fahnbulleh
• Date of birth: 29 September 1979
• Age: 46 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Monrovia, Liberia
• Nationality: Liberian, British
• Profession: Economist, Politician
• Height: 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters)
• Weight: 62 kg (approx.)
• Eye color: Dark brown
• Hair color: Black
• Parents: Father – Liberian diplomat and academic; Mother – Sierra Leonean educator
• Siblings: Brother – Gamal Fahnbulleh, British television journalist (Sky News and ITV Granada Reports anchor)
• Spouse: Graham
• Children: Three children
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Christian
• Ethnicity: Liberian/Sierra Leonean descent
• Net worth: $1.2 million

Early Life and Education

Miatta Fahnbulleh was born on 29 September 1979 in Monrovia, Liberia. Her father, a Liberian diplomat, and her Sierra Leonean mother fled the country during the First Liberian Civil War (1989–1997), seeking asylum in the United Kingdom when Miatta was a young girl.

She grew up in Kent, attending Beechwood Sacred Heart School in Tunbridge Wells, before studying at Lincoln College, University of Oxford, where she earned a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) around 2000.

Fahnbulleh later obtained her PhD in Economic Development from the London School of Economics (LSE) in 2005. Her doctoral thesis focused on industrial policy and economic transformation in Ghana and Kenya, reflecting her lifelong interest in inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Personal Life

Miatta Fahnbulleh is married to Graham, and the couple has three children. She balances her professional life with motherhood and has often spoken about the challenges of working parents in public life.

Her brother, Gamal Fahnbulleh, is a prominent journalist known for his work with ITV News and Sky News. Miatta’s multicultural background — with roots in Liberia and Sierra Leone — continues to influence her perspective on migration, equity, and social mobility.

Career

Dr. Miatta Fahnbulleh’s career has spanned academia, policy, and now national politics. After earning her PhD, she began her professional journey in the UK Cabinet Office (2011–2013) as Head of Cities, where she contributed to urban development and regeneration policies.

She then became Director of Policy and Research at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), one of the UK’s most influential think tanks. In 2017, she was appointed Chief Executive of the New Economics Foundation (NEF), where she led initiatives on green investment, fair wages, and social equity until 2023.

Her transition into active politics came through the Labour and Co-operative Party, and in the 2024 General Election, she was elected Member of Parliament for Peckham — succeeding Harriet Harman, who had retired after over three decades in Parliament.

Shortly after, she was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Consumers on 9 July 2024, within the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Her responsibilities include energy affordability, consumer protection, housing policy, and sustainable energy transitions.

In September 2025, she was also given an additional portfolio as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, highlighting her growing influence within the Labour government.

Awards

• 2021: Listed among the Top 100 Most Influential Black Britons in the Powerlist UK
• 2023: Named Public Policy Influencer of the Year by Prospect Magazine Awards
• 2024: Recognized by BBC 100 Women Watchlist for her leadership in public policy and social reform

Net Worth

Miatta Fahnbulleh’s estimated net worth is $1.2 million USD. Derived from salary and ministerial allowances, paid speaking engagements and policy consulting etc.

Social Media

• Twitter (X): @MiattaFahnbulleh
• LinkedIn: Miatta Fahnbulleh

Books

Fahnbulleh has not yet published a book, but she has contributed essays and policy reports for the New Economics Foundation and Institute for Public Policy Research, including:

• Building a Green and Fair Economy (2020)
• The Case for a New Social Settlement (2021)