Clarissa Ward was born on 31 January 1980 in London, England, UK. She has been married to Philipp von Bernstorff since November 2016. They have three children.
Pronounces penultimate syllable of -ative suffix with a schwa and the noun "record" as "wreck-cord," both in the British manner, unlike other American journalists, possibly as a nod to her being half-British.