Who Is George R. R. Martin? Age, Biography and Wiki
George R. R. Martin, born on September 20, 1948, is a renowned American writer and television producer, best known for his epic fantasy series "A Song of Ice and Fire." His work has captivated millions and inspired the acclaimed HBO series "Game of Thrones." As of 2025, Martin is 76 years old, and he continues to be a significant figure in the world of literature and television.
| Occupation | Screenwriter |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 20, 1948 |
| Age | 76 Years |
| Birth Place | Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Jersey |
Popularity
George R. R. Martin's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
George R. R. Martin is known for his distinctive appearance. He stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs around 250 pounds. As for his body measurements, the specifics vary, but he often appears in casual clothing that reflects his unpretentious personality.
* The Science Fiction Weight Loss Book (1983) edited with Isaac Asimov and Martin H. Greenberg ("Stories by the Great Science Fiction Writers on Fat, Thin, and Everything in Between")
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
George R. R. Martin has had a few notable relationships throughout his life. He was previously married to Gail Burns from 1975 to 1979. In recent years, he has been reportedly in a relationship with Parris McBride, who is not only his partner but also a significant support in his personal and professional endeavors. They have been together since 2011.
His mother's family had once been wealthy, owning a successful construction business, but lost it all in the Great Depression, something Martin was reminded about every day when he passed what used to be his family's dock and house. He has two younger sisters, Darleen and Jane.
He is predominantly of Irish descent; a DNA test on the series Finding Your Roots showed him to be 53.6% "British and Irish", 22.4% Ashkenazi Jewish, and 15.6% "Broadly Northwestern European".
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, George R. R. Martin's net worth is estimated to be around $75 million. His earnings primarily stem from his book sales, television adaptations, and other related projects. His successful career has made him one of the wealthiest authors in the fantasy genre.
The short stories he was able to sell in his early 20s gave him some profit but not enough to pay his bills, which prevented him from becoming the full-time writer he wanted to be. The need for a day job occurred simultaneously with the American chess craze which followed Bobby Fischer's victory in the 1972 world chess championship.
Martin's own chess skills and experience allowed him to be hired as a tournament director for the Continental Chess Association, which ran chess tournaments on the weekends. This gave him a sufficient income, and because the tournaments only ran on Saturdays and Sundays, it allowed him to work as a writer five days a week from 1973 to 1976.
By the time the chess craze subsided and no longer provided an income, he had become much better established as a writer.
Career, Business and Investments
Martin's career is a testament to his creativity and storytelling prowess. He began his writing journey in the late 1970s and gained fame with his "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, which has sold millions of copies worldwide. The adaptation of his work into the television series "Game of Thrones" further escalated his popularity and income.
In addition to his literary achievements, Martin is involved in various business ventures, including his own publishing company, Meathouse Man, and has made investments in digital media. Furthermore, he occasionally writes for anthologies and reviews, maintaining a presence in the literary community.
In turn, Guthridge helped Martin in finding a job at Clarke University (then Clarke College). Martin "wasn't making enough money to stay alive" from writing and the chess tournaments, said Guthridge. From 1976 to 1978, Martin was an English and journalism instructor at Clarke, and he became Writer In Residence at the college from 1978 to 1979.
Social Network
George R. R. Martin is active on social media, where he engages with fans and shares insights into his work. You can find him on:
- Twitter: @GRRMspeaking
- Facebook: GeorgeR.R.Martin
- Website: georgerrmartin.com
Martin attended Mary Jane Donohoe School and later Marist High School.
While there, he became an avid comic-book fan, developing a strong interest in the superheroes being published by Marvel Comics, and later credited Stan Lee for being one of his greatest literary influences; "Maybe Stan Lee is the greatest literary influence on me, even more than Shakespeare or Tolkien." A letter Martin wrote to the editor of Fanta
stic Four was printed in issue #20 (November 1963); it was the first of many sent, e.g., Fantastic Four #32, #34, and others.
Fans who read his letters wrote him letters in turn, and through such contacts, Martin joined the fledgling comics fandom of the era, writing fiction for various fanzines; he bought the first ticket to the world's first Comic-Con, held in New York in 1964.
In 1965, Martin won comic fandom's Alley Award for Best Fan Fiction for his prose superhero story "Powerman vs. The Blue Barrier".
Education
Martin attended Northwestern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism in 1970. His educational background has undoubtedly played a role in shaping his writing style, emphasizing character development and intricate plots that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
The family first lived in a house on Broadway belonging to Martin's great-grandmother. In 1953, they moved to a federal housing project near the Bayonne docks. During Martin's childhood, his world consisted predominantly of "First Street to Fifth Street", between his grade school and his home.
This limited world made him want to travel and experience other places, but the only way of doing so was through his imagination, and he became a voracious reader.
