Léa Salamé, born Hala Léa Salamé on October 27, 1979, is a prominent Lebanese-born French journalist known for her incisive reporting and engaging interview style. As the daughter of Ghassan Salamé, a former Lebanese Minister of Culture and advisor to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Léa's early life was shaped by the turmoil in Lebanon. Her family relocated to Paris when she was just five years old, and she became a French citizen at the age of eleven.
Salamé pursued her education in law at Panthéon-Assas University and Sciences Po, while also spending a year at New York University, where she was injured during the September 11 attacks. Her media career began as an intern at La Chaîne parlementaire, leading to her role at the newly established France 24 in 2006. She gained prominence at i>Télé, where she hosted political shows during the 2012 presidential election cycle.
In 2014, she joined the cast of Laurent Ruquier's popular show, On n'est pas couché, and became known for her sharp commentary alongside various co-hosts. Salamé has also been a key figure on France Inter, hosting the 7:50 a.m. interview segment since August 2014.
Her book, "Strong Women," published in collaboration with Les Arènes, features intimate conversations with twelve influential women and highlights her reflections on female empowerment. In 2019, she hosted the podcast "Powerful Women," further exploring themes of femininity and power across various sectors. Léa Salamé continues to be a significant voice in French journalism, celebrated for her engaging interviews and commitment to social issues.
