Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian novelist, short story writer, non-fiction writer, and essayist. She is one of the most celebrated and influential writers of her generation, as her work has been translated into over thirty languages.
Early Life And Education
Adichie was born on September 15, 1977 in Enugu, Nigeria, into an Igbo family. She is the fifth of six children born to James Nwoye Adichie, a professor of statistics, and Grace Ifeoma Adichie, the university’s first female registrar.
She studied medicine and pharmacy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for a year and a half in 1997 before transferring to Eastern Connecticut State University where she studied communications and political science.
The renowned writer received her master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and her master’s degree in African studies from Yale University.
Career
Adichie is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is also a professor of writing at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
Her first novel, “Purple Hibiscus,” was published in 2003. It tells the story of Kambili, a young girl growing up in a wealthy Nigerian family during the military dictatorship of General Sani Abacha. The novel which was a critical and commercial success, won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and the Orange Prize for Fiction.
Her second novel, “Half of a Yellow Sun,” was published in 2006. It is set during the Nigerian Civil War and tells the story of three characters whose lives are intertwined by the conflict. The novel was also a critical and commercial success, winning the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award.
Adichie’s third novel, “Americanah,” was published in 2013. It tells the story of Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman who moves to the United States to study. The novel explores themes of race, identity, and belonging. It was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction and the Women’s Prize for Fiction.
Adichie in addition to her novels, has also published two collections of short stories; “Things We Lost in the Fire” and “The Thing Around Your Neck,” including a non-fiction book, “We Should All Be Feminists.”
Her work has been praised for its insights into African culture, its complex characters, and its lyrical prose. She has been called “one of the finest storytellers of our time” and “one of the most important voices of our generation.”
Furthermore, she is a vocal advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. Adichie is a powerful voice for climate change action, social justice and equality, and her work continues to inspire and challenge readers around the world.
In 2008, Adichie was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the “genius grant,” and was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2015.
Personal Life
The 46-year-old writer married Ivara Esege, a Nigerian doctor, in 2009. They have a daughter together, named Ivara Adichie-Esege.
The prolific writer is a private person and does not share much information about her personal life publicly. However, she has spoken about her experiences as a mother and a wife in her writing. She has also spoken about her struggles with anxiety and depression.
Net Worth
Her net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. She has earned her wealth from her writing, as well as from her speaking engagements and other creative work.
Adichie is a generous philanthropist who has made monetary donations to various causes, including education and women’s rights.
Adichie is a role model for young writers and activists all over the world. Her work is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the world we live in today.