Who Is Charles Bukowski? Age, Biography and Wiki
Charles Bukowski was born on August 16, 1920, and passed away on March 9, 1994. In 2025, he would have been 105 years old. Bukowski was known for his raw, gritty writing style that often reflected the struggles of everyday life in America. His works include poetry, novels, and short stories, bringing him acclaim as one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century. Bukowski's life experiences heavily influenced his work, as he often wrote about his own encounters with poverty, love, and the human condition.
| Occupation | Screenwriter |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 16, 1920 |
| Age | 73 Years |
| Birth Place | Andernach, Prussia, Weimar Germany |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | Germany |
| Date of death | 9 March, 1994 |
| Died Place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Charles Bukowski's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although Charles Bukowski was an influential literary figure, specific details about his body stats are less documented due to the era in which he lived. Nevertheless, he was described as having a rugged appearance, consistent with his bohemian lifestyle. In his younger years, he stood approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and maintained a lean physique.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Bukowski had a complicated personal life characterized by numerous relationships and marriages. His first marriage was to Barbara Frye in 1955, which lasted only a few years. Later, he married Linda Lee Beighle in 1985, and she remained with him until his death in 1994. Throughout his life, Bukowski also had several affairs, with his poetry often reflecting his tumultuous relationship experiences.
In 2025, discussions around Bukowski's relationships garner interest from researchers and fans alike, analyzing the impact of his romantic escapades on his writings. Despite his notoriety as a lonesome figure, Bukowski experienced deep connections that inspired many of his greatest works.
His father was Heinrich (Henry) Bukowski, an American of German descent who had served in the U.S. army of occupation after World War I and had remained in Germany after his army service. His mother was Katharina (née Fett). His paternal grandfather, Leonard Bukowski, had moved to the United States from Imperial Germany in the 1880s.
In Cleveland, Ohio, Leonard met Emilie Krause, an ethnic German, who had emigrated from Danzig (now Gdańsk, Poland). They married and settled in Pasadena, California, where Leonard worked as a successful carpenter. The couple had four children, including Heinrich (Henry), Charles Bukowski's father.
His mother, Katharina Bukowski, was the daughter of Wilhelm Fett and Nannette Israel. The name Israel is widespread among Catholics in the Eifel region. Bukowski assumed his paternal ancestor had moved from Poland to Germany around 1780, as "Bukowski" is a Polish last name. As far back as Bukowski could trace, his whole family was German.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 1994, Bukowski had an estimated net worth of around $1 million. In 2025, his literary estate continues to generate revenue through book sales, film adaptations, and merchandise, bringing his approximate net worth to $5 million. His works remain widely read, contributing to his lasting financial legacy.
Bukowski also performed live readings of his works, beginning in 1962 on radio station KPFK in Los Angeles and increasing in frequency through the 1970s. Drinking was often a featured part of the readings, along with a combative banter with the audience.
Bukowski could also be generous; for example, after a sold-out show at Amazingrace Coffeehouse in Evanston, Illinois, on November 18, 1975, he signed and illustrated over 100 copies of his poem "Winter," published by No Mountains Poetry Project. By the late 1970s, Bukowski's income was sufficient to give up live readings.
Career, Business and Investments
Bukowski's career spanned several decades, beginning with his early writings in the underground literary scene. He gained national attention in the 1960s and 1970s, becoming a celebrated author with works such as “Post Office,” “Factotum,” and “Women.” His writing style, known for its sincerity and unfiltered authenticity, struck a chord with readers around the world.
Beyond literature, Bukowski's life and works inspired several films, most notably “Barfly” (1987) starring Mickey Rourke. His influence persists, with an entire generation of writers and filmmakers drawing inspiration from Bukowski's approach to storytelling.
In his early teen years, Bukowski had an epiphany when he was introduced to alcohol by his friend William "Baldy" Mullinax, depicted as "Eli LaCrosse" in Ham on Rye, son of an alcoholic surgeon.
"This [alcohol] is going to help me for a very long time," he later wrote, describing a method (drinking) he could use to come to more amicable terms with his own life. Bukowski attended Susan Miller Dorsey High School for one year before transferring to Los Angeles High School.
After graduating from high school in 1939, Bukowski attended Los Angeles City College for two years, taking courses in art, journalism, and literature, before quitting at the start of World War II. He then moved to New York City to begin a career as a financially pinched blue-collar worker with hopes of becoming a writer.
Social Network
Charles Bukowski was known for his significant presence within the literary community, although he was not as active on modern social media. Since his passing, various social media platforms host fan pages that celebrate his writings and philosophies, offering insights into his life and literary contributions.
In 2025, his legacy continues to thrive via fan groups on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where enthusiasts discuss his works, share quotes, and promote events celebrating Bukowski's life. Additionally, many online forums allow fans to connect and share interpretations of his poetry.
Henry Charles Bukowski (born Heinrich Karl Bukowski, ; August 16, 1920 – March 9, 1994) was a German-American poet, novelist, and short story writer. His writing was influenced by the social, cultural, and economic ambience of his adopted home city of Los Angeles.
Bukowski's work addresses the ordinary lives of poor Americans, the act of writing, alcohol, relationships with women, and the drudgery of work. The FBI kept a file on him as a result of his column Notes of a Dirty Old Man in the LA underground newspaper Open City.
Education
Bukowski attended Los Angeles City College for a brief period but did not complete his degree. His education was informal, and much of his literary skill was honed through self-education and life experiences. He frequently mentions in his work the influence of his upbringing and the struggles he faced, which shaped his unique voice in American literature.
On July 22, 1944, with the war ongoing, Bukowski was arrested by FBI agents in Philadelphia, where he lived at the time, on suspicion of draft evasion. At a time when the U.S. was at war with Nazi Germany, and many Germans and German-Americans on the home front were suspected of disloyalty, Bukowski's German birth troubled the authorities.
He was held for seventeen days in Philadelphia's Moyamensing Prison. Sixteen days later, he failed a psychological examination that was part of his mandatory military entrance physical test and was given a Selective Service Classification of 4-F (unfit for military service).
Conclusion
Charles Bukowski remains a fascinating figure in literary history. As we look to 2025, his life story, relationships, and incredible body of work continue to resonate with readers around the globe. With an enduring legacy that influences both writers and filmmakers, Bukowski's essence persists, revealing the complexities of the human experience through his compelling narratives.
