Arianna Huffington

Arianna Stassinopoulos Huffington is a Greek American author syndicated columnist and businesswoman. She's co-founder and chief executive officer of Thrive Global, as well as the author of 15 books. Arianna Huffington is a writer TV personality, philanthropist, and owner of the independently liberal online news magazine The Huffington Post. Originally from Greece, Arianna Huffington moved to England with her family when she was age 16. While at Cambridge University she earned a MA qualification in Economics. At 21 she became president of the famed debating society The Cambridge Union' and was the first foreign born student who was elected to this position. As a conservative syndicated blogger following her graduation, she went on to become an influential voice for the Huffington Post. It was her celebrity that led to the recruitment of a number of well-known contributors for posting their opinions on the news, politics and culture. Arianna gained fame when she made the decision to run independently during the California recall vote to succeed the Governor Davis. She also headed the Detroit energy-efficient vehicle project. In 2009 she was recognized by Forbes as The most influential women in media gaining 12th place on the listing and the following year, the Guardian included her in the top 100 of media lists. AOL Inc. purchased The Huffington Post in 2011 and appointed her as head of its media division, which also included other AOL properties such as Engadget AOL Music Style list as well as Patch Media. She was the daughter of journalist and management consultant Konstantinos and his wife Elli Stasinopoulos. Though she shared a close connection to both her father and mother but it was their connection that helped shape her. Even during her formative period, she displayed abilities to lead, and for this are still prominently known. When she was 16 she relocated to the United Kingdom to pursue her study and then enrolled at Girton College Cambridge. In her time at college, she was a member of the college debate Society Cambridge Union where she became the third foreign, and first female president. Her graduation was in 1972 and she earned a Master's Degree in Economics. She worked as a critic, a TV host as well as a columnist following her graduation. Also, with Bernard Levin she appeared on an episode of Face the music.