Just months after stepping away from the BBC, veteran broadcaster Mishal Husain has found herself on a journey that’s taken her all the way back to the birth of America.
The 52-year-old former Today host, known for her sharp reporting and composed presence, recently learned something extraordinary about her family history—turns out, her ancestors were right there at the heart of the American Revolution.
And this powerful revelation comes at a time when Husain is also speaking out about the current state of journalism, calling for more substance and less showmanship in broadcast media.
A Deep Dive into Her Past Uncovers an Unexpected American Connection
Appearing on the BBC’s genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are?, Husain revealed that researching her ancestry opened doors she never imagined.
What started as a journey into her family’s past in India and Pakistan led her across the Atlantic to colonial America.
She discovered that her four-times great-grandfather, Joseph Farley, who she once believed to be Irish, had roots in America.
Farley eventually moved to India in the 1800s, but the real surprise came when Husain dug deeper into his lineage.
It turned out Joseph’s father had actually fought in one of the most pivotal events of the American War of Independence—the Battle of Bunker Hill in Boston.
And his father, Michael Farley, wasn’t just a passive observer of history.
He was reportedly an ally of none other than George Washington and one of 92 men who voted against the original “no taxation without representation” policies that sparked the Revolution.
Feeling Blown Away by a Revolutionary Legacy
Understandably, Mishal was left speechless by what she uncovered.
“It blew my mind,” she admitted during the show.
“To realize I had a connection to the end of the British Empire in one part of the world and to its early cracks in another part—it’s extraordinary.”
For Husain, this connection gave her a broader perspective on identity and the threads that tie history together.
“I never could have imagined I’d have a family link to the American Revolution. It makes me proud that they were thinking about a different and better world.”
Stepping Back from the Spotlight, But Not from Speaking Up
These revelations come shortly after Husain publicly criticized a growing trend in broadcast journalism: putting personalities before purpose.
Since leaving her role at BBC Radio 4’s Today programme in December 2024 after more than two decades with the corporation, Husain hasn’t held back from sharing her views.
In a recent interview with Vogue, she commented on how some of today’s presenters seem more focused on themselves than the stories they report.
While she didn’t name names, some interpreted her remarks as a subtle critique of Today‘s current presenters, including Amol Rajan and Emma Barnett.
“Personality-driven journalism doesn’t have to be bombastic,” she said.
“It shouldn’t be about the presenter making themselves the centre of attention.
If someone has journalistic integrity, they should be a conduit to the news, not the story itself.”
A Team Player in a Changing Media Landscape
Reflecting on her own approach, Husain explained that she was always more comfortable working as part of a team. “I rarely used the word ‘I’ on air.
I would say ‘we’—because everything, from booking guests to writing briefs, is a team effort in broadcasting.”
She added, “That’s just what came naturally to me.
I always saw my role as one piece of a bigger machine, not the face of the whole thing.”
Confronting the Rising Tide of Racism in Modern Britain
Husain has also spoken candidly about the challenges she’s faced off-camera.
In a speech last November, she revealed that she had encountered more racism in the past year than at any other point in her career.
A British Muslim of Pakistani heritage, Husain said the atmosphere in the country feels more hostile now than even in the aftermath of 9/11.
“Racism is something many people experience daily,” she said.
“And while what I’ve gone through isn’t unique or particularly remarkable, this past year really brought it home for me in a personal way.”
A New Chapter Begins with History in Her Blood
As she steps away from daily broadcasting, Mishal Husain is clearly not retreating from meaningful conversations.
Whether she’s exploring her family’s role in shaping the world or challenging modern media to rethink its priorities, she continues to be a thoughtful and powerful voice in British journalism.
Her episode of Who Do You Think You Are? is set to air next Tuesday, April 29, on BBC One.
The series will also feature other high-profile guests, including actors Andrew Garfield, Diane Morgan, and Ross Kemp.
And for Husain, it’s not just a story about the past—it’s a story that’s helping shape her future.