Date of Birth: October 31, 1955
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Biography
Susan Orlean is an acclaimed American journalist and author, known for her exceptional storytelling and insightful reporting. She was born on October 31, 1955, in Cleveland, Ohio. Orlean graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in literature and history. Her career began at Willamette Week in Oregon, but she gained widespread recognition as a staff writer for The New Yorker, where she has been contributing since 1992. Orlean is perhaps best known for her 1998 book “The Orchid Thief,” which was inspired by an article she wrote for The New Yorker. The book was later adapted into the film “Adaptation” (2002), directed by Spike Jonze and starring Meryl Streep as Orlean. Her other notable works include “The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup: My Encounters with Extraordinary People” (2001), “My Kind of Place: Travel Stories from a Woman Who’s Been Everywhere” (2004), “Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend” (2011), and “The Library Book” (2018). Orlean’s writing is characterized by its deep curiosity, careful observation, and lyrical prose. She has won numerous awards for her work and continues to be a vital voice in contemporary journalism and literature.
5 Interesting Facts about Susan Orlean
1. “The Orchid Thief” was inspired by a real-life criminal case involving the poaching of rare orchids in Florida.
2. Susan Orlean was portrayed by Meryl Streep in the film adaptation of her book “The Orchid Thief,” titled “Adaptation.”
3. She has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1992, contributing a wide array of essays and reported pieces.
4. Orlean’s book “The Library Book” investigates the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Public Library and delves into the broader significance of libraries.
5. She has written for several other publications, including Rolling Stone, Vogue, Esquire, and Outside.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Susan Orlean
1. “You have to simply love writing, and you have to remind yourself often that you love it.”
2. “I want to be amused, entertained, and informed.”
3. “Life seems to be a process of replacing one anxiety with another and substituting one desire for another — which is to say, life is growth.”
4. “The world is full of people who are very brilliant at one thing, and they have no interest in anything else.”
5. “What fascinated me was not the prison itself but the variety of people who were there.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Susan Orlean’s highest net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Susan Orlean has one son, Austin Orlean, born in 2004, with her husband John Gillespie.
Relevant Links
1. [Susan Orlean’s Official Website](https://www.susanorlean.com/
2. [Susan Orlean’s Profile at The New Yorker](https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/susan-orlean
3. [Susan Orlean on Twitter](https://twitter.com/susanorlean
5. [Interview with Susan Orlean on NPR](https://www.npr.org/2020/10/20/925554367/susan-orlean