Stephen King was born on September 21, 1947, in Portland, Maine. From an early age, King showed a remarkable talent for storytelling, writing his first short story at the age of seven. In 1967, he graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in English and began teaching high school while working on his first novel. During his career, King has published over 50 novels and nearly 200 short stories, many of which have been adapted for film or television. He has also won numerous awards, including the National Medal of Arts.
Fast Facts
Full Name:
Stephen Edwin King
Nickname:
Novelist
Birth date:
September 21, 1947
Age:
77
Zodiac Sign:
Virgo
Height:
6' 5"
Relationship Status:
Married
Net Worth:
$500 million
Background
Stephen Edwin King was born on September 21, 1947, in Portland, Maine. King’s father was a merchant seaman. When King was two years old, his father left the family and never returned. King and his older brother, David, were raised by their mother, Nellie Ruth. King attended Lisbon Falls High School and then the University of Maine at Orono, where he majored in English. After college, King worked as a high school teacher and also wrote a weekly column for the local paper. In the 1970s, King was struggling to make a living as a writer. He had a young family to support, and he was working part-time as a teacher. He had published a few short stories, but he wasn’t making much money from his writing.
In 1974, King published his first novel, “Carrie.” The book was a huge success, and King quickly became one of the most popular authors in the world. He has since written dozens of bestselling novels, and he is now one of the richest writers in the world. King’s career had its ups and downs. In the early years, he was very successful. But in the late 1990s, his career went into a decline. He was struggling with addiction, and his books were not well-received.
However, in the last few years, King’s career has seen a resurgence. King’s later years have been particularly successful. In the past five years, he has published four books that have become bestsellers. Three of these books were turned into movies, and two of them were turned into T.V. series. King has also won numerous awards, including the National Book Award and the Edgar Award.
Career timeline
Stephen King graduates from the University of Maine with a degree in English.
The book is published — it’s about a schoolgirl who is pushed too far by her classmates and her religious mother, leading her to use her telekinetic powers to wreak havoc on them all.
King’s third novel tells the story of Jack Torrance, a writer who becomes the caretaker of the Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies but descends into madness.
This novel, which is about a group of youths who are terrorized by an evil being that takes the form of a clown, is adapted into a T.V. series as well as a film.
The U.S. National Endowment for the Arts awards King a National Medal of Arts for his contributions to literature.
Why We Love Stephen King
He is a very successful author
Stephen King’s books have sold over 350 million copies. They have been adapted for the big and small screens multiple times.
He is a prolific writer
King's writing is incredibly descriptive and atmospheric. His stories, of which there are many, are engrossing to read.
He is a master of suspense and horror
He knows how to create an atmosphere of unease and tension. He has created some of the most spine-chilling stories ever written.
5 Surprising Facts
He has written over 50 novels
He has written over 50 novels, many of which have been turned into movies.
His books were translated to several languages
Stephen King’s books have been translated into over 35 languages.
He had a pseudonym
When King started his career, publishers at the time limited authors to just one book publication per year, which he circumvented by writing under the name “Richard Bachman.”
He’s a baseball fan
King is a big fan of the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox.
He donates to charity
The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation makes millions of dollars available to support different communities in Maine.
Stephen King FAQs
What condition does Stephen King have?
King suffers from a condition called macular degeneration.
What is Stephen King’s most successful book?
His all-time bestseller is “The Shining.”
How does Stephen King practice writing?
King writes 2,000 words a day, taking him between four to six hours to finish.
Stephen King’s birthday dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | September 21 | Sunday |
2026 | September 21 | Monday |
2027 | September 21 | Tuesday |
2028 | September 21 | Thursday |
2029 | September 21 | Friday |