Who Is Don DeLillo? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Don DeLillo, an iconic American novelist, playwright, and essayist, was born on November 20, 1936. As of 2025, he is 88 years old and continues to be an influential voice in contemporary literature. DeLillo's works often explore themes such as consumerism, language, and technology, with pioneering novels like "White Noise," "Libra," and "Underworld" solidifying his reputation. He has received numerous awards, including the National Book Award and the PEN/Saul Bellow Award.
| Occupation | Journalist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 20, 1936 |
| Age | 88 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Don DeLillo's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although specific measurements for DeLillo in 2025 may not be widely available, as a prominent figure, he has often been noted for his distinctive appearance. He approximately stands at around 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall. His weight is estimated to be around 160 lbs (72 kg). Due to his age, his appearance may have changed, reflecting the wisdom and experience of a celebrated author.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his career, DeLillo has maintained a degree of privacy regarding his personal life. He was previously married to Barbara Grace, with whom he has one daughter. As of 2025, there have been no public disclosures about a new relationship or boyfriend. His focus remains primarily on his literary endeavors, contributing to his reputation as a reclusive yet profoundly impactful figure in literature.
As well as the influence of modernist fiction, DeLillo has also cited the influence of jazz music—"guys like Ornette Coleman and Mingus and Coltrane and Miles Davis"—and postwar cinema: "Antonioni and Godard and Truffaut, and then in the '70s came the Americans, many of whom were influenced by the Europeans: Kubrick, Altman, Coppola, Scorsese a
nd so on.
I don't know how they may have affected the way I write, but I do have a visual sense." Of the influence of film, particularly European cinema, on his work, DeLillo has said, "European and Asian cinemas of the 1960s shaped the way I think and feel about things.
At that time I was living in New York, I didn't have much money, didn't have much work, I was living in one room...I was a man in a small room. And I went to the movies a lot, watching Bergman, Antonioni, Godard. When I was little, in the Bronx, I didn't go to the cinema, and I didn't think of the American films I saw as works of art.
Perhaps, in an indirect way, cinema allowed me to become a writer." He also credits his parents' leniency and acceptance of his desire to write for encouraging him to pursue a literary career: "They ultimately trusted me to follow the course I'd chosen.
This is something that happens if you're the eldest son in an Italian family: You get a certain leeway, and it worked in my case."
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Don DeLillo’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. His wealth has primarily stemmed from book sales, royalties, and rewards from various literary awards. DeLillo's continued relevance in the literary world and his ability to captivate new audiences ensures a steady stream of income, even as he ages.
Career, Business, and Investments
Don DeLillo's career spans decades, characterized by a unique ability to blend fiction with social commentary. His influential works have been adapted into films, and his status as a literary icon has led him to receive numerous prestigious awards. In addition to writing, he is known to invest in various ventures related to arts and education, advocating for the importance of literature in society.
As a teenager, DeLillo was not interested in writing until he took a summer job as a parking attendant, where the hours spent waiting and watching over vehicles led to a lifelong reading habit.
Reflecting on this period, in a 2010 interview, he stated, "I had a personal golden age of reading in my 20s and my early 30s, and then my writing began to take up so much time".
Among the writers DeLillo read and was inspired by in this period were James Joyce, William Faulkner, Flannery O'Connor, and Ernest Hemingway, who was a major influence on DeLillo's earliest attempts at writing in his late teens.
Social Network
Although Don DeLillo is not particularly active on social media, he engages with fans and readers through rare interviews and literary events. His official website and limited online presence provide the most accurate updates regarding his works and public appearances. Any avid fans eager to learn about his latest projects should keep an eye on these platforms.
Donald Richard DeLillo (born November 20, 1936) is an American novelist, short story writer, playwright, screenwriter, and essayist. His works have covered subjects as diverse as consumerism, nuclear war, the complexities of language, art, television, the advent of the Digital Age, mathematics, politics, economics, and sports.
Education
DeLillo's educational background includes a degree in Communication Arts from the University of Raytown, where he honed his writing and critical thinking skills. His academic experiences greatly influenced his literary voice, enabling him to explore complex themes that resonate with readers worldwide.
In conclusion, Don DeLillo in 2025 continues to inspire and challenge our perceptions through his works, while maintaining a life of privacy and contemplation. As he navigates through his 88th year, his legacy as a distinguished author remains firmly intact, and his impact on literature endures.
Americana was followed in rapid succession by the American college football/nuclear war black comedy End Zone (1972)—written under the working titles "The Self-Erasing Word" and "Modes of Disaster Technology" —and the rock and roll satire Great Jones Street (1973), which DeLillo later felt was "one of the books I wish I'd done differently.
It should be tighter, and probably a little funnier." He married Barbara Bennett, a former banker turned landscape designer, in 1975.
