Marilyn French

Date of Birth: November 21, 1929

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: May 2, 2009

Biography

Marilyn French was a renowned American author and feminist, best known for her groundbreaking novel “The Women’s Room,” which became a key text in the feminist movement of the 1970s. Born in Brooklyn, New York, French pursued her education passionately, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University, a Master’s degree from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. from Harvard. Her works often dealt with the themes of women’s rights, gender inequality, and personal freedom. French’s literature and activism made her a significant figure in discussions on feminism, both in the United States and internationally. She also wrote several non-fiction works, including “Beyond Power: On Women, Men, and Morals,” which delved into the historical and cultural subjugation of women.

5 Interesting Facts about Marilyn French

1. Marilyn French’s novel “The Women’s Room” has sold over 20 million copies worldwide and has been translated into several languages.

2. She was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the 1990s but continued to write and advocate for women’s rights until her death.

3. French taught English at Hofstra University and later at Harvard University.

4. She was a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts.

5. Her work “From Eve to Dawn: A History of Women” is a comprehensive four-volume history of women from prehistoric times to the present.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Marilyn French

1. “All men are rapists and that’s all they are. They rape us with their eyes, their laws, and their codes.”

2. “My goal in life is to change the entire social and economic structure of Western civilization, to make it a feminist world.”

3. “The oppression of women is the most fundamental form of oppression.”

4. “Men seem unable to feel equal to women: they must be superior or they are inferior.”

5. “No one really believes that women are the weaker sex.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of her career, Marilyn French’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, largely accrued from her bestselling books and academic positions.

Children

Marilyn French had two children, a son named Robert and a daughter named Jamie, from her marriage to Robert M. French, which ended in divorce in 1967.