Date of Birth: September 10, 1935
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Date of Death: January 17, 2019
Biography
Mary Oliver was an acclaimed American poet renowned for her clear and poignant observances of the natural world. Born in Maple Heights, Ohio, Oliver developed a love for nature during her childhood, which later deeply influenced her poetry. She attended both Ohio State University and Vassar College but did not graduate from either institution. Oliver’s work is characterized by its accessibility and profound simplicity, often reflecting themes of nature, love, and the human experience. Her poetry collections include “American Primitive” (1983), which won the Pulitzer Prize, and “New and Selected Poems” (1992), which won the National Book Award. Over her career, she published more than 15 poetry and essay collections, earning her a place among the most beloved poets of her time. Mary Oliver lived for many years in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where she continued to write and became a beloved figure in the local community. She passed away on January 17, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of poetry that continues to inspire and comfort readers around the world.
5 Interesting Facts about Mary Oliver
1. Mary Oliver’s poetry is heavily influenced by her lifelong love of nature, inspired by her rural Ohio upbringing.
2. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1984 for her collection “American Primitive.”
3. Oliver was a prolific writer, publishing over 15 poetry collections and numerous essays throughout her career.
4. She lived in Provincetown, Massachusetts for many years, where she drew inspiration from the coastal landscape.
5. Oliver was known for her solitary walks in nature, which she described as essential to her writing process.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mary Oliver
1. “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
2. “Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”
3. “To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.”
4. “You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.”
5. “Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Mary Oliver’s highest net worth was estimated at around $5 million.
Children
Mary Oliver did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Mary Oliver – Poetry Foundation](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/mary-oliver
2. [Mary Oliver – Academy of American Poets](https://poets.org/poet/mary-oliver
4. [Mary Oliver – Pulitzer Prizes](https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/mary-oliver
5. [Mary Oliver – National Book Foundation](https://www.nationalbook.org/people/mary-oliver/
