Who Is George Plimpton? Age, Biography, and Wiki
George Plimpton was born on March 18, 1927, in New York City and passed away on September 26, 2003. Despite his death over two decades ago, Plimpton remains a notable figure in American literature and sports writing. He was famous for his unique approach to journalism, blending literature with firsthand experiences in various sports. Best known for works like Paper Lion and Open Net, his legacy continues to influence writers and journalists today.
| Occupation | Journalist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 18, 1927 |
| Age | 76 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 25 September, 2003 |
| Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
George Plimpton's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Plimpton was known for his average build and athletic pursuits. While specific body measurements may not be readily available, during his lifetime, he stood around 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall. His weight varied depending on his engagement with sports, but he was generally known to maintain a healthy physique.
In 1952, Plimpton was recruited by Peter Matthiessen to join the literary journal The Paris Review, founded by Matthiessen, Thomas H. Guinzburg, and Harold L. Humes.
This periodical has carried great weight in the literary world, but has never been financially strong; for its first half-century, it was allegedly largely financed by its publishers and by Plimpton.
Matthiessen took the magazine over from Humes and ousted him as editor, replacing him with Plimpton, using it as his cover for Matthiessen's CIA activities. Jean Stein became Plimpton's co-editor. Plimpton was associated with the Paris literary magazine Merlin, which folded because the State Department withdrew its support.
Future Poet Laureate Donald Hall, who had met Plimpton at Exeter, was Poetry Editor. One of the magazine's most notable discoveries was author and screenwriter Terry Southern, who was living in Paris at the time and formed a lifelong friendship with Plimpton, along with writer Alexander Trocchi and future classical and jazz pioneer David Amram.
In 1958, he published an influential article about Vali Myers. That same year, Plimpton interviewed Ernest Hemingway for the Review.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
During his life, George Plimpton was a private individual regarding his personal relationships. He was married to his wife, Gigi (Georgie Plimpton), for nearly five decades until his passing in 2003. The couple had three children together. While there were no widely publicized relationships or affairs beyond his marriage, Plimpton's life was filled with friendships and collaborations with many prominent figures in literature and sports.
He was the son of Francis T. P. Plimpton and the grandson of Frances Taylor Pearsons and George Arthur Plimpton. His father was a successful corporate lawyer and name partner of the law firm Debevoise and Plimpton; he was appointed by President John F. Kennedy as U.S. deputy ambassador to the United Nations, serving from 1961 to 1965.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, George Plimpton had an estimated net worth of around $3 million. This wealth stemmed from his successful career as a writer, which spanned several decades. His unique prose often attracted the right audience, leading to substantial sales in both books and articles. Although Plimpton earned a significant salary from his writing and public speaking engagements, precise figures remain elusive.
Career, Business, and Investments
George Plimpton's career as an author and editor was prolific. He co-founded the literary magazine The Paris Review in 1953, which became renowned for its interviews with famous writers and its contributions to contemporary literature. His experiential journalism style—where he participated in sports such as football, boxing, and even symphonic conducting—set him apart from traditional journalists.
Plimpton's investments were primarily intellectual rather than financial. He championed literature, sportsmanship, and the arts, creating a rich legacy that continues today.
* Chase, Levi Badger. A genealogy and historical notices of the family of Plimpton or Plympton in America: and of Plumpton in England (1884) Publisher: Plimpton Mfg. Company 1884.
Social Network
Although George Plimpton lived in a time before social media as we know it today, he was well-connected in literary and athletic circles. His relationships with celebrities, authors, and sports figures helped him maintain a significant presence. In 2025, one can find discussions about his life and work across various platforms, especially among literature enthusiasts and sports historians.
According to The New York Times, his "exploits in editing and writing seesawed between belles lettres and the witty accounts he wrote of his various madcap attempts to slip into other people's high-profile careers ...
a lanky, urbane man possessed of boundless energy and perpetual bonhomie, became, in 1953, the first and only editor of The Paris Review. A ubiquitous presence at book parties and other gala social events, he was tireless in his commitment to the serious, contemporary fiction the magazine publishes ...
All of this contributed to the charm of reading about Mr. Plimpton's frequently hapless adventures as 'professional' athlete, stand-up comedian, movie bad guy or circus performer; which he chronicled in witty, elegant prose in nearly three dozen books."
Education
George Plimpton attended Harvard University, where he graduated with a degree in English literature in 1948. He later pursued further studies at King's College, Cambridge, which enriched his understanding of literature and shaped his writing style.
Bernard's School and growing up in an apartment duplex on Manhattan's Upper East Side located at 1165 Fifth Avenue. During the summers, he lived in the hamlet of West Hills, Huntington, Suffolk County on Long Island.
