Yado Yakub is an American lawyer, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve officer, and international adviser. His full name is Ali Iyad Yakub. He is also known as the husband of CBS News journalist and Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan.
Yado has worked in law, military service, foreign affairs, and strategic consulting. He and Margaret first met at the University of Virginia in 1998 but did not start dating until 2013. They married in 2015 and have two sons, Eamon and Malek.
Yado Yakub’s Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ali Iyad Yakub |
| Known as | Yado Yakub |
| Reported birthday | July 23, 1978 |
| Nationality | American |
| Heritage | Syrian-American |
| Profession | Lawyer, military officer, strategic adviser |
| Education | University of Virginia, University of Miami School of Law |
| Military service | U.S. Marine Corps |
| Business | Y2 Global Advisory |
| Wife | Margaret Brennan |
| Married | April 11, 2015 |
| Children | Eamon Brennan Yakub and Malek Murphy Yakub |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
How Old Is Yado Yakub?
Yado Yakub is reported to have been born on July 23, 1978.
If this reported birth date is correct, he is 48 years old in 2026.
His exact birth date is mainly reported by secondary biography sources and is not included in the stronger PEOPLE profile about his life and marriage.
Where Is Yado Yakub From?
Yado was born in the United States and is American.
His family has Syrian roots. His Syrian-American background has remained an important part of his family life, including his wedding and the names chosen for his children.
A specific city or state of birth has not been reliably established in the available information.
Yado Yakub’s Parents
Secondary sources identify Yado’s father as Dr. Nabil Y. Yakub.
He is reported to be a nephrologist who was affiliated with Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia.
Yado’s mother has been identified as Rolana I. Yakub, although one source also spells her first name as Rolanda. She reportedly worked as a teacher at Country Day School in McLean.
These details about his parents are reported information and are not covered in the stronger profiles about Yado.
His Sister Samia Yakub
Yado has a sister named Samia Yakub.
Samia later became an important connection between Yado and his future wife.
While Margaret Brennan was studying abroad at Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan, Samia was her roommate.
Margaret and Samia became close friends. They traveled together and also visited Yado’s grandmother in Damascus, Syria.
At that time, Margaret knew Yado but did not have a romantic interest in him.
What Languages Does Yado Yakub Speak?
Yado has been reported to speak several languages.
Secondary sources list English, Arabic, Spanish, and French among the languages he speaks.
His exact level of fluency in each language has not been widely documented.
Yado Yakub’s Education
Yado attended the University of Virginia.
He studied International Relations and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.
He later attended the University of Miami School of Law, where he earned his law degree.
His education prepared him for a career that later included law, military service, international affairs, government work, and strategic consulting.
His Early Career
Yado worked in law before joining the military.
One secondary source reports that he worked for then-Senator Joseph Biden as a legislative correspondent in 2000.
He later reportedly worked as an associate attorney at the Miami law firm Diaz and Kaiser from 2004 to 2006.
After working as an attorney and legal associate, Yado moved into military service.
Yado Yakub’s Marine Corps Career
Yado joined the United States Marine Corps in 2007.
He served in the Marines until 2016 before moving into work related to global intelligence.
In 2019, he returned to Marine service.
He has been identified as a judge advocate, meaning his military work includes legal matters.
Secondary reporting also identifies Yado as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and a foreign area officer.
His reported areas of expertise include the Middle East, North Africa, and Western Europe.
Some reports have loosely described him as having served in the Army, but the available information identifies his military branch as the U.S. Marine Corps.
His Work at PwC
After leaving active Marine service in 2016, Yado reportedly worked at PwC.
Secondary reporting says he worked there from 2016 to 2017.
His work involved areas such as political risk and government reform.
Y2 Global Advisory
Yado is the founder and principal of Y2 Global Advisory.
He reportedly started the firm in 2022.
The company provides strategic advice involving government relations, communications, international markets, and geopolitical issues.
This work builds on Yado’s experience in law, government, military service, security, and international affairs.
His Work With SAS
Yado has also been reported as a senior strategic adviser at SAS, a company that works with data and analytics.
His reported role involves government and international clients.
His work has included issues involving security, data, and artificial intelligence, with a geographical focus that includes southern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
How Did Yado Yakub Meet Margaret Brennan?
Yado first met Margaret Brennan in 1998 while they were students at the University of Virginia.
Margaret was a freshman, while Yado was a senior.
They knew each other but did not spend much time together.
Yado later said he thought Margaret was too conservative and preppy. Margaret thought Yado was somewhat wild and partied too much.
Years later, Margaret said they both agreed that they probably would not have dated if they had tried to start a relationship during college.
They Crossed Paths Again Years Later
Yado and Margaret remained loosely connected through other people after college.
Margaret became close friends with Yado’s sister Samia while studying in Jordan.
About three years later, Margaret was visiting Miami with her boyfriend at the time. Her boyfriend, who was a mutual friend, contacted Yado.
Yado was studying law in Miami at the time.
The meeting was casual, and nothing romantic happened between Yado and Margaret.
They reconnected in Washington, D.C.
Years later, Margaret was living in Washington, D.C.
She learned through Samia that Yado had also moved there.
In February 2013, Margaret was walking her dog when she unexpectedly saw Yado waiting for a bus.
Yado invited her to a party.
About a month later, they started communicating regularly. They exchanged emails and got to know each other better.
By July 2013, they were officially a couple.
Their Trip to Thailand
About five months after they began dating, Yado and Margaret traveled to Thailand together.
Yado later said that after returning from the trip, he knew he wanted to marry Margaret.
He proposed the following year.
Yado Proposed in Charlottesville
Yado proposed to Margaret on March 14, 2014.
He chose Charlottesville, Virginia, where they had attended the University of Virginia and first met years earlier.
The couple married about a year after their engagement.
Yado Yakub and Margaret Brennan’s Wedding
Yado and Margaret married on April 11, 2015, at Decatur House in Washington, D.C.
Their wedding included traditions connected to both of their family backgrounds.
Margaret has Irish-American roots, while Yado has Syrian-American roots.
Margaret walked down the aisle to Irish bagpipes.
During the cocktail hour, guests watched a performance by a Middle Eastern musical group.
The wedding took place about 17 years after Yado and Margaret first met at college.
Who Is Margaret Brennan?
Margaret Brennan is an American journalist best known for her work with CBS News.
She is the moderator of Face the Nation and has also worked as a senior foreign affairs correspondent.
She became moderator of Face the Nation in 2018.
Her journalism has focused on American politics, foreign affairs, diplomacy, national security, and major international events.
Yado has accompanied Margaret to several major public events during their marriage.
Their First Son, Eamon Brennan Yakub
Yado and Margaret welcomed their first son, Eamon Brennan Yakub, on September 11, 2018, in Washington, D.C.
Margaret explained that they chose his name to represent both sides of his family.
She said Eamon, pronounced Ay-mon, means “guardian” in Irish.
A similar name with a different spelling also carries the meaning “righteous” in Arabic.
Their Second Son, Malek Murphy Yakub
Their second son, Malek Murphy Yakub, was born on April 28, 2021.
PEOPLE reported that Malek was born at the same hospital where his older brother Eamon was born.
One secondary source lists his birthday as May 2, 2021. However, April 28 is supported by PEOPLE and another supplied source.
Malek’s name also represents his parents’ backgrounds.
Margaret said Malek means “king” in Arabic, while Murphy is a family name from her side.
Yado Yakub’s Net Worth
Yado Yakub’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
There are no confirmed public financial records showing his exact wealth.
His career has included work as an attorney, Marine officer, legal adviser, consultant, and international strategic adviser.
Is Yado Yakub on Social Media?
Yado does not appear to maintain a major public social media presence.
Margaret is active on social media and occasionally shares family-related photos and information.
A widely known verified personal account for Yado is not established in the available information.
Facts About Yado Yakub
- Yado Yakub’s full name is Ali Iyad Yakub.
- He is American and has Syrian family roots.
- His reported birthday is July 23, 1978.
- He studied International Relations at the University of Virginia.
- He later earned a law degree from the University of Miami.
- His sister is named Samia Yakub.
- Yado joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2007.
- He has worked as a military legal adviser.
- He has been identified as a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve.
- He reportedly worked at PwC after leaving active Marine service in 2016.
- He founded Y2 Global Advisory.
- He first met Margaret Brennan at the University of Virginia in 1998.
- They did not begin dating until 2013.
- Yado proposed on March 14, 2014.
- He married Margaret on April 11, 2015.
- Their wedding took place at Decatur House in Washington, D.C.
- Yado and Margaret have two sons.
- Eamon Brennan Yakub was born on September 11, 2018.
- Malek Murphy Yakub was born on April 28, 2021.
- His exact net worth is not publicly known.
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