Salman Rushdie Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Real name: Ahmed Salman Rushdie [1] Britannica

Profession: Novelist, Essayist

Famous For: Writing the novels ‘Midnight’s Children’ and ‘The Satanic Verses,’ for which he was accused of using profanity against Islam.

Date of Birth: 19 June 1947 (Thursday)

Age (as of 2024): 77 Years

Birthplace: Bombay (now Mumbai), British India

Zodiac sign: Gemini

Nationality: British

Hometown: Cambridge, England

Religion/Religious Views: Salman Rushdie follows different religions including Atheisicm, Religious Satire, Humanism. He has different religious views.

Ethnicity: Indian (Kashmiri) [4] BBC

Age: 77 Years

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EDUCATION

School: Cathedral and John Connon School, Bombay Rugby School, Warwickshire, England

College/University: King’s College, University of Cambridge, England

Educational Qualification(s): •Salman Rushdie went to the Cathedral and John Connon School, Bombay and Rugby School, Warwickshire, England for his school education. •In 1968, he obtained a Master’s Degree in History at King’s College, University of Cambridge, England. [3] Britannica

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Height (approx.): in centimeters – 170 cm in meters – 1.70 m in feet & inches – 5’ 7”

Weight (approx.): in Kilograms- 85 kg in Pounds- 187 lbs

Eye Colour: Grey

Hair Colour: Salt and Pepper (Semi-Bald)

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Marital Status: Divorced [7] The Gaurdian

Affairs/Girlfriends: Riya Sen , Indian Actress Rosario Dawson, Hollywood Actress Olivia Wilde, Hollywood Actress Pia Glenn, Actress Topaz Page-Green, Model Nikki Milovanovic, Canadian Pop-star (40 years younger than him)

Wife(s)/Spouse(s): Clarissa Luard (m. 1976-1987) Marianne Wiggins, American Novelist (m. 1988-1993) Elizabeth West (m. 1997-2004) Padma Lakshmi, Indian-American Model & Actress (m. 2004-2007)

Children: Sons – Zafar (born in 1979) and Milan (born in 1997)

Parents: Father – Anis Ahmed Rushdie (Lawyer-turned-Businessman) Mother – Negin Bhatt (Teacher)

Siblings: He has one brother and three sisters. The name of his younger sister is Sameen Rushdie.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Debut: Novel: Grimus (1975, Science Fiction)

Awards, Honours, Achievements: • Awarded the European Union’s Aristeion Prize in 1996. • Chosen as the “author of the year” in both Britain and Germany in 1996. • Awarded the Booker Prize for his second novel, Midnight’s Children, in 1971. • Bestowed with the “Booker of Bookers” for the best novel among the Booker Prize winners for Fiction; awarded at its 25th anniversary. • Honoured with the Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France). • Won the 2010 Golden Pen Award. • In June 2023, he was awarded a prestigious German prize for his literary work and for his resolve and positive attitude in the face of constant danger. [2] The Hindu

OTHER INFORMATION

Hobbies: Reading, Horse Riding

Authors/Poets: Franz Kafka, Charles Dickens, James Joyce

Books: “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, “Genghis Khan” by Jack Weatherford, “The White Album” by Joan Didion, “Humboldt’s Gift” by Saul Bellow, “Clear Light of Day” by Anita Desai

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Salman Rushdie, an Indian-born British-American, has made a significant mark in the literary world as an essayist and novelist. His body of work primarily explores the rich tapestry of the Indian subcontinent, deftly weaving together elements of magical realism and historical fiction. Rushdie’s narratives, which delve into themes of migration, connection, and the intricate disruptions that arise between Eastern and Western civilizations, showcase his skill in capturing the complexities of cultural identity and human experience.

Rushdie’s literary journey began on an uncertain note when his debut novel, “Grimus,” published in 1975, floundered in the marketplace. However, his fortunes took a dramatic turn six years later with the release of “Midnight’s Children,” which not only resonated with readers but also won him the prestigious Man Booker Prize in 1981. His subsequent work, “The Satanic Verses,” published in 1988, ignited a storm of controversy that altered the course of his life. The novel, perceived by some as being blasphemous towards Islam, led to a death threat issued by Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini, compelling Rushdie to live under police protection for nearly a decade. Despite this turmoil, Rushdie continued to write, shifting his focus to children’s stories—a genre less likely to invite further backlash.

Born in Bombay (now Mumbai), British India, to a Muslim family of Kashmiri descent, Rushdie’s formative years were steeped in a complex cultural milieu. His father, Anis Rushdie, had a contentious relationship with the British civil service, having been dismissed for submitting forged documentation. Educated initially at King’s College, Cambridge, Rushdie took a different path than his academically successful father, graduating with below-average grades. After college, he dabbled in various professions, including acting and advertising, before fully committing to his writing career. During this period, he honed his craft while working as a copywriter for notable agencies, contributing memorable slogans for brands like American Express and Aero Chocolates.

As Rushdie’s writing matured, he produced a diverse array of works, from the politically charged “Shame,” which critiqued the political landscape of Pakistan, to the non-fiction “The Jaguar Smile,” reflecting on Nicaragua’s Sandinista movement. His literary prowess earned him recognition, with “The Enchantress of Florence” and “Luka and the Fire of Life” further showcasing his mastery of magical realism and satire. Rushdie’s commitment to free speech and cultural discourse was evident as he led the PEN American Center and founded the PEN World Voices Festival, emphasizing the importance of literary freedom. Despite the challenges he faced, including the infamous fatwa and a near-fatal attack in 2022, Rushdie’s resilience and dedication to storytelling remain unwavering. His narratives, which continue to evolve, reflect his belief in the power of literature to bridge divides and illuminate the human condition.

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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.