Date of Birth: January 8, 1934
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Date of Death: January 10, 2004
Biography
Alexandra Ripley was an American writer best known for her historical novels and her sequel to Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind,” titled “Scarlett.” Born Alexandra Braid on January 8, 1934, in Charleston, South Carolina, she embraced the rich cultural heritage of her hometown, which often served as settings for her novels. Ripley attended Vassar College, where she developed her passion for literature and history. Her literary career took off with the publication of “Charleston” in 1981, a novel that vividly depicted the antebellum South. She gained significant recognition with “Scarlett” (1991), which continued the saga of Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler and became a bestseller, despite mixed reviews. Ripley authored several other novels, including “On Leaving Charleston,” “New Orleans Legacy,” and “From Fields of Gold.” Ripley’s writing style is noted for its meticulous historical detail and captivating storytelling, which transported readers to different eras and locations. She married three times and had two daughters, dedicating much of her life to both her family and her literary pursuits.
5 Interesting Facts about Alexandra Ripley
1. Alexandra Ripley was chosen to write the sequel to “Gone with the Wind” after an extensive search by the Mitchell estate.
2. “Scarlett” sold millions of copies worldwide and was adapted into a television miniseries in 1994.
3. Ripley was a Vassar College alumna, where she majored in Russian.
4. Despite her success with “Scarlett,” Ripley stated that she felt pressured by the high expectations of fans and critics.
5. She also wrote under the pseudonyms B.K. Ripley and Alexandra MacAaron.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alexandra Ripley
1. “I have always been interested in the past because it is the mirror of our present.”
2. “Writing ‘Scarlett’ was both an honor and a monumental challenge.”
3. “Characters are the essence of a good story; without them, the plot is just a skeleton.”
4. “The South has a flavor all its own, rich with history and tradition.”
5. “Success can be as daunting as failure; both demand resilience.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of her career, Alexandra Ripley achieved an estimated net worth of $5 million, primarily due to the success of “Scarlett.”
Children
Alexandra Ripley had two daughters, Alice and Elizabeth, who have largely stayed out of the public eye.
Relevant Links
1. [Biography on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_Ripley
4. [Interview on Writing Scarlett](https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/22/books/ripley-scarlett.html
5. [TV Miniseries Adaptation of Scarlett](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108915/
