Toni Morrison

Date of Birth: February 18, 1931

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: August 5, 2019

Biography

Toni Morrison, born Chloe Ardelia Wofford, was an American novelist, essayist, editor, and professor. Born on February 18, 1931, in Lorain, Ohio, Morrison became one of the most influential writers in American literature. She graduated from Howard University in 1953 with a B.A. in English and went on to earn a Master of Arts from Cornell University in 1955. Morrison worked as an editor at Random House, where she played a significant role in bringing Black literature to the forefront. Morrison’s literary career took off with her debut novel, “The Bluest Eye,” published in 1970. She gained widespread acclaim for her powerful storytelling, vivid characters, and exploration of African-American culture and history. Her most celebrated work, “Beloved,” won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988 and was later adapted into a film starring Oprah Winfrey. In 1993, Morrison became the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Throughout her career, Morrison wrote numerous novels, essays, and children’s books. She also taught at several prestigious universities, including Princeton University. Morrison’s work continues to impact readers and writers around the world, making her a literary icon.

5 Interesting Facts about Toni Morrison

1. Toni Morrison was the first African-American woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature.

2. Morrison was an editor at Random House for nearly two decades, where she played a key role in promoting Black literature.

3. Her novel “Beloved” was inspired by the true story of an African-American slave, Margaret Garner, and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1988.

4. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2012.

5. Morrison’s work often addressed themes of identity, community, and the legacy of slavery in America.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Toni Morrison

1. “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”

2. “The function of freedom is to free someone else.”

3. “You wanna fly, you got to give up the thing that weighs you down.”

4. “At some point in life, the world’s beauty becomes enough.”

5. “Make a difference about something other than yourselves.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Toni Morrison’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.

Children

Toni Morrison had two children: Harold Ford Morrison (born in 1961) and Slade Morrison (born in 1965). Slade Morrison, who was an artist and musician, collaborated with his mother on several children’s books.