Turki Al Dhakil, a journalist and media personality, was born in Riyadh in in 1973. He studied at the Origins of Religion College at Imam Mohammed bin Saud University . He has worked in religious, political and sports journalism since 1989 and as editor and correspondent for many newspapers and media institutions. He is the published author of three books; The Memoirs of a Former Fat Man in which Al Dhakil recounts his experience with obesity, Saudis in America, and I Was in Afghanistan. Al Dhakil helped found the UAE’s Sheikh Zayed Book Award and was a member on its higher committee until 2008. He owns and manages a research centre in Dubai . Al Dhakil is famous for hosting a television talk show named "Edaat" on the Arabiya channel. In 2009 he won the "Best Television Talk Show Programme" award from the sixth Arab media forum in . He was also awarded the titles of "Best Saudi Anchor" in The Riyadh newspaper questionnaire in 2009 and that of "Master of Dialogue" in one conducted by Rotana magazine in 2007. He was  chosen in 2007 by Arabian Business magazine as one of the 100 most powerful Arab personalities.