Bassem Youssef is an Egyptian comedian, television host and surgeon.
He is best known for having hosted El Bernameg, a satirical comedy show focused on Egyptian politics, from 2011 to 2014.
Youssef was dubbed the “Jon Stewart of the Arab World” and his show was the first of its kind political satire show in the Middle East region.
He graduated from Cairo University’s Faculty of Medicine, majoring in cardiothoracic surgery, in 1998.
Youssef practiced as a cardiothoracic surgeon in Egypt for 13 years before moving into comedy and political satire.
He has also been a fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University.
Bassem Youssef age
Youssef was born on March 21, 1974, making him 49 years old as of November 2023.
How tall is Bassem Youssef?
Youssef’s height is 170 cm or 5 feet 7 inches.
Bassem Youssef wife
Youssef’s wife is Hala Diab.
They got married in October 2010 and have two children together, Nadiya Bassem Youssef and Adam Bassem Youssef.
Diab is an Egyptian-Palestinian woman who has gracefully maintained a low profile despite being married to a celebrity.
She is an integral part of Youssef’s life journey and provides him with unwavering support in both his personal and professional life.
Bassem Youssef daughter
Youssef and his wife have two children, a daughter named Nadiya Bassem Youssef and a son named Adam Bassem Youssef.
Nadiya is a comedian who has been making a name for herself in the comedy world, captivating audiences with her humor and insights.
She wrote a children’s book called “The Magical Reality of Nadia,” which was inspired by his daughter Nadiya’s life experience.
The book is about Nadiya, who shifted from Egypt to America at the age of six and is determined to win a school competition to design an exhibit at the local museum.
Bassem Youssef net worth
As of 2023, Youssef’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million to $5 million.
Bassem Youssef career
Youssef is best known for hosting the political satire TV show, AlBernameg, which was the first of its kind in the Middle East.
Before his foray into comedy and political satire, Youssef majored in cardiothoracic surgery, passed the United States Medical License Exam (USMLE), and is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS).
He practiced as a cardiothoracic surgeon in Egypt for 13 years before moving into comedy and political satire.
Youssef’s show, AlBernameg, achieved unprecedented weekly viewership ratings for 11 consecutive weeks during its third season.
However, the show was terminated in June 2014 due to overwhelming pressures on both the show and the channel airing it.
Youssef has been named among Time Magazine’s most influential people and has been awarded the International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists.
He has also served as a resident fellow at the Institute of Politics at the John F Kennedy School of Government and has appeared twice as a Senior Middle East Correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
Currently, Youssef appears in the digital series, The Democracy Handbook, for Fusion Network on its new digital platform F-Comedy.
Bassem Youssef’s stand on the Israel – Hamas war
Youssef is an Egyptian comedian and TV host who has discussed the Israel-Hamas war in various interviews.
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Youssef commented on the treatment of Palestinians and criticized the methodology taken by both sides.
He also appeared on Piers Morgan’s show and discussed the Israel-Hamas war, where he countered Morgan’s comparison of Israel to the terror group ISIS.
In another interview, Youssef rejected the link between the Palestinian flag and being pro-Hamas and discussed the possibility of Hamas being removed from power.
In an article by New Lines Magazine, his interview with Morgan was described as a piece of quintessentially Arab satire, where he used dark humor to deal with the wars and preoccupations of recent Middle Eastern history.
He also criticized the question of proportionality and what Israel’s response ought to be to the civilian massacres, noting that the conflict has never been proportionate or equal.
FAQ
Who is Bassem Youssef?
Youssef is an Egyptian comedian, television host, and surgeon.
When was Bassem Youssef born?
Youssef was born on March 21, 1974, in Cairo, Egypt.
What is Bassem Youssef known for?
Youssef is best known for having hosted El Bernameg, a political satire TV show in Egypt.
What is Bassem Youssef’s educational background?
Youssef studied medicine at Cairo University and worked as a heart surgeon before becoming a comedian and television host.
What is Bassem Youssef’s style of comedy?
Youssef’s style of comedy is political satire.
What is Bassem Youssef’s book?
Youssef’s book is called “Revolution for Dummies: Laughing Through the Arab Spring”.
What is Bassem Youssef’s documentary?
Youssef’s documentary is called “Tickling Giants”.
What is Bassem Youssef’s nickname?
Youssef is sometimes referred to as the “Jon Stewart of Egypt”
What got Bassem Youssef arrested?
Youssef was arrested in 2013 for making jokes that were critical of the Egyptian government.
