Cristina Odone

Cristina Patricia Odone (born 11 November 1960) is a journalist, editor, and writer. She is the director of the new Centre for Character and Values at the Legatum Institute. She has written for several newspapers, and was formerly the editor of The Catholic Herald, and deputy editor of the New Statesman.

Early life

Odone was born in Nairobi, Kenya, to an Italian father, Augusto Odone, and a Swedish mother. Her half-brother was Lorenzo Odone, after whom Lorenzo's oil is named.

Odone's father was a World Bank official, which led to the family regularly moving. Odone went initially to Marymount School, then later to the National Cathedral School, Washington, D.C. After her parents' divorce, Odone moved to Britain to go to St Clare's, a boarding school in Oxford. Odone studied French literature and history at Worcester College, Oxford.

Journalist

Odone edited The Catholic Herald from 1991–95. Odone later worked for the World Bank in Washington, D.C., as an advisor to European companies. She resigned from The Catholic Herald to be able to finish her second novel, A Perfect Wife. In 1996, Odone became the television critic for The Daily Telegraph, a position she held for two years.