Date of Birth: June 15, 1912
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: August 30, 1987
Biography
George Mikes was a prolific Hungarian-British writer and journalist, best known for his humorous works on British culture. Born in Hungary, Mikes initially pursued a career in law and journalism in his homeland before moving to the United Kingdom in 1938. His career took an unexpected turn when he became a foreign correspondent for Hungarian newspapers. With the outbreak of World War II, he decided to remain in Britain, where he became a naturalized British citizen in 1946. Mikes is perhaps most famous for his book “How to Be an Alien,” published in 1946, which humorously highlights the peculiarities of British life through the eyes of an outsider. This book was a massive success and established Mikes as a notable humorist. Over his lifetime, he wrote more than 40 books, many of which continued to explore themes of cultural differences and social commentary. His astute observations and witty style garnered him a considerable following both in the UK and internationally.
5 Interesting Facts about George Mikes
1. George Mikes was born in Siklós, Hungary.
2. He initially studied law before transitioning to journalism.
3. “How to Be an Alien” sold over 300,000 copies and was translated into numerous languages.
4. Mikes served in the BBC during World War II, contributing to its Hungarian Service.
5. He was known for his love of cats and even wrote a book titled “How to Be Decadent,” which included humorous advice on cat ownership.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Mikes
1. “Continental people have sex lives; the English have hot-water bottles.”
2. “An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one.”
3. “In England, it is bad manners to be clever, to assert something with confidence.”
4. “The trouble with tea is that originally it was quite a good drink.”
5. “Many Continentals think life is a game; the English think cricket is a game.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, George Mikes’ net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, a significant sum for a writer during his time.
Children
George Mikes had two children: a son named Martin Mikes and a daughter named Judith Mikes.
Relevant Links
1. [George Mikes – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mikes
2. [How to Be an Alien – Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215370.How_to_Be_an_Alien
4. [George Mikes Quotes – BrainyQuote](https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/george-mikes-quotes
5. [George Mikes – BBC Archive](http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/george_mikes
