George Kurdahi
Quick Facts
Biography
George Kurdahi (Arabic: جورج قرداحي; born May 1, 1950 in Faitroun, Lebanon) is a Lebanese TV presenter and ex-host of the Arabic version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.
Education
Kurdahi was educated at the Notre Dame de Louayzeh College (Keserwan). He studied Political Science and Law in Lebanon.
Career
Kurdahi started his career with the newspaper Lisan al Hal in 1970, then he worked for Télé Liban in 1973 until the start of the Lebanese civil war, when he immigrated to France. In 1979, he joined Radio Monte Carlo in Paris, where he was appointed Editor-in-chief.
In 1992, Kurdahi moved on to run Sharq Radio Station in Paris and remained there for around two years.
In 1994, he was recruited to head MBC FM in London.
In 2004, Kurdahi moved to the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation for one year, before being asked by MBC to return as the presenter of his old program and several other programs. In his move to LBC to present “Iftah Albak”, Kurdahi became one of the prominent TV presenters in the Arab World. Furthermore, advertising spots on his shows reached record proportions, both in popularity as well as ratings.
Throughout his career, Kurdahi used his stardom to support charities in advancing their efforts for the public good. He notably partnered with "Tamkeen" which operates under the umbrella of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai. He provided Tamkeen's visually impaired students with new educational Tools.
Kurdahi was chosen as a UN Goodwill Ambassador.
In 2011, he departed MBC after making a statement in which he supported the Syrian government during the Syrian civil war, and stated that "there was a conspiracy against the Syrian government from Arab TV station." Subsequently, his shows were canceled from MBC and he eventually joined Al Mayadeen TV station.
In 2012, Kurdahi joined Al Hayat TV to present the TV-show “ Who Wants to be A Millionaire”, "Al-Mosameh Karim" and "Hafez wala Fahem".
George Kurdahi has also launched his own brand of perfume called G.K.
Personal life
George Kurdahi is married to Ida Kassar with three children. Kurdahi, after living in Europe and other Arab Countries for many years, he returned to his home town of Feitroun.
He speaks four languages: Arabic, French, English and Italian.