Anais Nin

Date of Birth: February 21, 1903

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: January 14, 1977

Biography

Anaïs Nin was a French-Cuban-American diarist, essayist, and writer of short stories and erotica. Born on February 21, 1903, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, she is best known for her extensive diaries, which span several decades and detail her personal life, relationships, and experiences. Nin’s work is celebrated for its exploration of the human psyche, female sexuality, and artistic expression. Her literary career began in earnest in the 1930s, and she was a significant figure in the avant-garde literary circles of Paris, where she associated with prominent writers and artists such as Henry Miller, Antonin Artaud, and Otto Rank. Nin’s most famous works include “Delta of Venus” and “Little Birds,” collections of erotic short stories, and “House of Incest,” a surrealist prose poem. However, it is her diaries, published posthumously, that have garnered the most acclaim, offering an intimate glimpse into her tumultuous and passionate life. Anaïs Nin’s writing has influenced feminist literature and continues to inspire readers with its honesty and depth. She passed away on January 14, 1977, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most intriguing and pioneering writers of the 20th century.

5 Interesting Facts about Anais Nin

1. Anaïs Nin’s diaries span over 60 years, providing a detailed account of her personal and professional life.

2. She was a close friend and lover of the American writer Henry Miller, and their relationship significantly influenced both of their works.

3. Nin’s father abandoned the family when she was young, an event that deeply affected her and was a recurring theme in her writing.

4. She was a trained psychoanalyst and practiced in New York City for a time.

5. Nin self-published her early works, including her first book, “D.H. Lawrence: An Unprofessional Study,” due to the lack of interest from traditional publishers.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Anais Nin

1. “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”

2. “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

3. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”

4. “Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country.”

5. “I am an excitable person who only understands life lyrically, musically, in whom feelings are much stronger as reason.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Anaïs Nin’s highest net worth is not precisely documented. Given her era and the nature of her work, it is believed she lived modestly, with her wealth primarily coming from her writing and later royalties.