The Private World Of Philipp Von Bernstorff: 7 Fascinating Facts About The Fund Manager And Clarissa Ward’s Husband

Contents
Philipp von Bernstorff is a distinguished German-born fund manager and investment specialist, currently making a significant impact in the global financial sector from his base in Singapore. As of late 2025, he continues to hold a key role at Vulpes Investment Management, where his expertise in distressed assets and complex financial strategies has cemented his reputation in the industry. Beyond his impressive professional portfolio, Bernstorff is widely recognized as the husband of award-winning CNN Chief International Correspondent, Clarissa Ward. Their private life, including the recent addition of their third child, offers a compelling contrast to his high-stakes world of finance, providing a rare glimpse into the life of a man who prefers to stay out of the media spotlight.

Philipp von Bernstorff: Biography, Career, and Family Profile

Philipp von Bernstorff has cultivated a career defined by strategic investment and a deep understanding of global markets, particularly in distressed assets. His profile is a blend of noble heritage, high-level finance, and a dynamic family life with one of the world's most recognized war correspondents.
  • Full Name: Philipp Graf von Bernstorff-Wotersen
  • Nationality: German
  • Occupation: Fund Manager, Investment Specialist
  • Current Role: Primary Manager of the Distressed Fund at Vulpes Investment Management
  • Location: Singapore
  • Education: Background in finance and investment
  • Spouse: Clarissa Ward (CNN Chief International Correspondent)
  • Marriage Date: 2016 (Married in London)
  • Children: Three sons, including Ezra (born 2018), Caspar (born 2020), and Inigo Alexander Rumi Grainger Graf von Bernstorff-Wotersen (born May 2023)
  • Notable Former Roles: Senior Vice President at Artradis Management SA

The High-Stakes Career of a Distressed Fund Manager

Bernstorff's professional trajectory is centered around the challenging and often volatile world of distressed investments. This niche area of finance involves purchasing assets or securities of companies or governments that are in or near bankruptcy or default, requiring a keen eye for undervalued opportunities and a high tolerance for risk.

Vulpes Investment Management and the Distressed Fund

Since January 2010, Philipp von Bernstorff has been a central figure at Vulpes Investment Management, a Singapore-based firm. His primary responsibility is managing the firm’s Distressed Fund, a role that demands extensive knowledge of global economic trends and corporate restructuring.

The Distressed Fund he manages focuses on identifying and capitalizing on opportunities arising from financial turmoil. This includes investments in debt, equity, and other assets of companies facing significant financial difficulties.

His work is not just about numbers; it involves complex legal, political, and economic analysis to predict which distressed entities have a viable path to recovery and, crucially, how to structure investments to maximize returns. This specialization makes him a highly sought-after expert in his field.

Bernstorff also holds a key position on the Investment Committee for the Testudo Fund, another significant portfolio within the Vulpes structure. This dual responsibility underscores his influence and trust within the firm’s leadership.

A Foundation in Global Finance: Artradis and Beyond

Prior to his long tenure at Vulpes, Bernstorff gained valuable experience at other prominent financial institutions. One notable role was his position as Senior Vice President at Artradis Management SA, where he focused on Russian and Eastern European markets.

His early career, characterized by a focus on emerging and complex markets, laid the groundwork for his current expertise in distressed assets. This global perspective—meeting his wife, Clarissa Ward, in Moscow in 2007—highlights his international career path, which has spanned multiple continents and diverse investment landscapes.

Philipp von Bernstorff’s Life with CNN’s Clarissa Ward

The public interest in Philipp von Bernstorff often intersects with the high-profile career of his wife, Clarissa Ward. The couple maintains a relatively private life despite Ward’s frequent and dangerous assignments in conflict zones around the world.

A Modern International Family

The Bernstorffs are a truly international family, navigating a life that balances the high-octane world of war reporting with the demanding nature of global finance. They were married in 2016 in London, a city that serves as a hub for both of their professional circles.

The most recent update to their family life came in May 2023 when they welcomed their third child, a son named Inigo Alexander Rumi Grainger Graf von Bernstorff-Wotersen, who is affectionately known as Iggy. This event followed the birth of their two older sons, Ezra and Caspar.

Clarissa Ward has often spoken about the challenges of balancing her career with motherhood, crediting Bernstorff as a supportive partner. Their family's history, including the medical issues their youngest son faced shortly after birth, has been a source of public conversation, highlighting their resilience as a couple.

The Noble Heritage and German Roots

The full name of their youngest son, Inigo Alexander Rumi Grainger Graf von Bernstorff-Wotersen, hints at Philipp von Bernstorff’s noble German heritage. The title "Graf" (Count) is a historical part of his family name, connecting him to a lineage that includes prominent figures in German history, such as the diplomat Philipp von Bernstorff (1813-1873).

While the modern fund manager is distinct from his historical namesake—the Prussian Foreign Minister—his family name carries a legacy of public service and high-level engagement. This background provides a subtle, but significant, context to his own position in the world of international finance and his connection to a family estate, Wotersen.

Bernstorff's choice to base his professional life in Singapore, a major global financial center, reflects a modern, forward-looking approach to his career, distinct from the traditional European centers of finance. This move emphasizes his focus on the dynamic growth and investment opportunities in Asia.

In summary, Philipp von Bernstorff remains a powerful, yet low-key, figure in the world of distressed investments. His continued leadership at Vulpes Investment Management, coupled with his role as the anchor for his family with Clarissa Ward, positions him as a fascinating figure operating at the intersection of high finance, global media, and international family life.

philipp von bernstorff
philipp von bernstorff

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