Bassem Youssef
Bassem Youssef is a heart surgeon turned comedian and political commentator, dubbed “the Jon Stewart of the Arab World.”
Youssef rose to fame as the host of the popular TV show AlBernameg – which was the first of its kind political satire show in the Middle East. It evolved from a five-minute Youtube show to the most-watched show in the region, racking up 30 millions viewers per week. The success of AlBernameg led to many showbiz opportunities for Youssef, including appearances on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
Before embarking on a career in comedy and political satire, Youssef practised cardiothoracic surgery in Egypt for 13 years. He majored in cardiothoracic surgery, passed the United States Medical License Exam (USMLE) and is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.
Why Bassem Youssef is vegan
Bassem Youssef is vegan for health.
Youssef became vegan on 15 September 2013, after hearing how a friend had turned their life around by adopting a plant-based diet.1Sengupta, J. 2021. WKND Conversations: Why this heart surgeon became a vegan ambassador. Khaleej Times. Available: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/lifestyle/wknd-conversations-why-this-heart-surgeon-became-a-vegan-ambassador [Accessed 30 June 2026].
He then became dedicated to spreading the health benefits of a plant-based diet and helping people in the Middle East reduce their consumption of animal products and ultra-processed foods.
With his medical background, he created Plant B, described as a programme “to help achieve a healthier life on a plant based diet.”
Watch Plant B Episode 1 | Lunch with a Vegan
References:
- Sengupta, J. 2021. WKND Conversations: Why this heart surgeon became a vegan ambassador. Khaleej Times. Available: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/lifestyle/wknd-conversations-why-this-heart-surgeon-became-a-vegan-ambassador [Accessed 30 June 2026].
