James Foley

Date of Birth: October 18, 1973

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: August 19, 2014

Biography

James Wright Foley was an American journalist known for his courageous reporting from conflict zones. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Foley had a passion for storytelling and a commitment to shedding light on the human condition in war-torn areas. He graduated from Marquette University in 1996 with a degree in history and later earned a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Foley initially taught in Arizona, Massachusetts, and Chicago before transitioning to journalism. He began his journalism career covering conflicts in the Middle East, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Foley worked for various news organizations, including GlobalPost, Agence France-Presse, and the Stars and Stripes. His dedication to reporting in dangerous environments exemplified his bravery and commitment to journalism. Tragically, James Foley was kidnapped in Syria in November 2012 while covering the Syrian Civil War. After nearly two years in captivity, he was executed by ISIS on August 19, 2014.

5 Interesting Facts about James Foley

1. James Foley was the first American journalist to be executed by ISIS, which drew international outrage and attention to the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones.

2. He was one of five children and grew up in a devout Roman Catholic family.

3. Foley’s death prompted the creation of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, which advocates for the safety of journalists and the protection of independent journalism.

4. He was previously kidnapped in Libya in 2011 but was released after 44 days in captivity.

5. Foley’s alma mater, Marquette University, established the James Foley Scholarship in his honor to support students pursuing careers in journalism.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Foley

1. “If I don’t have the moral courage to challenge authority…we don’t have journalism.”

2. “I believe that frontline journalism is important. Without these photos and videos and firsthand experience, we can’t really tell the world how bad it might be.”

3. “It’s part of what we do, to bear witness. It’s really the life of the journalist.”

4. “I always thought journalism was a great way to explore the world and to be a lifelong learner.”

5. “I have a passion for the truth and for the importance of being a witness to what happens.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

James Foley was not known for having a significant net worth; his work was driven more by passion and commitment to journalism rather than financial gain.