Date of Birth: January 25, 1950
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Date of Death: September 28, 2016
Biography
Gloria Naylor was an acclaimed American novelist best known for her insightful and powerful portrayals of African American women. Born in New York City, Naylor grew up in a working-class family and was deeply influenced by the stories and experiences of the women around her. She attended Medgar Evers College and later Brooklyn College, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English. Naylor also completed a Master’s degree in African American Studies at Yale University. Her debut novel, “The Women of Brewster Place,” published in 1982, won the National Book Award for First Novel and was adapted into a television miniseries starring Oprah Winfrey. Naylor continued to explore themes of race, gender, and community in her subsequent works, including “Linden Hills” (1985), “Mama Day” (1988), and “Bailey’s Cafe” (1992). Throughout her career, she received numerous accolades and was recognized for her contributions to American literature. Naylor passed away in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering work that continues to inspire readers and writers alike.
5 Interesting Facts about Gloria Naylor
1. Gloria Naylor worked as a telephone operator for AT&T while she pursued her writing career.
2. “The Women of Brewster Place” was not only her debut novel but also became a critically acclaimed television miniseries.
3. She received the National Book Award for First Novel in 1983 for “The Women of Brewster Place”.
4. Naylor was an advocate for African American literature and often spoke about the importance of diverse voices in writing.
5. She taught writing and literature at several universities, including George Washington University and the University of Pennsylvania.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gloria Naylor
1. “Time’s passage through the memory is like molten glass that can be opaque or crystallized at any given moment.”
2. “Life is accepting what is and working from that.”
3. “I don’t believe that life is linear. I think of it in terms of circles – concentric circles that connect and intersect.”
4. “What’s important is the exploration of self, that is why the individual voice is the most important thing.”
5. “The thing that makes you exceptional, if you are at all, is inevitably that which must also make you lonely.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, Gloria Naylor achieved a net worth estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Gloria Naylor did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [National Book Foundation: Gloria Naylor](https://www.nationalbook.org/people/gloria-naylor/
2. [The New York Times Obituary](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/03/books/gloria-naylor-dies.html
3. [Encyclopedia Britannica: Gloria Naylor](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gloria-Naylor
4. [PBS: Gloria Naylor](https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/naylor_g.html
5. [Goodreads: Gloria Naylor Quotes](https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3484.Gloria_Naylor
