Who Is Iris Chang? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on March 28, 1968, Iris Chang was 36 when she passed away on November 9, 2004. Had she lived to 2025, she would have celebrated her 57th birthday. Chang is best known for her seminal work, "The Rape of Nanking," which brought global awareness to the atrocities committed during the Second Sino-Japanese War. A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Chang's writing not only highlighted historical injustices but also emphasized the importance of remembering and discussing them.
| Occupation | Journalist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 28, 1968 |
| Age | 36 Years |
| Birth Place | Princeton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | Jersey |
| Date of death | 9 November, 2004 |
| Died Place | Santa Clara County, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Iris Chang's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Iris Chang's height and weight are not publicly documented, she was often described as petite. Her presence was not defined by physical attributes alone; rather, it was her intellect and passion for human rights that left a lasting impression on those who knew her and read her works.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Iris Chang was married to journalist Brett D. Chang, showcasing her ability to balance her demanding writing career with her personal life. The couple developed a strong bond, and their relationship was a source of support during her challenging endeavors. As of 2025, in our hypothetical exploration, Chang’s family continues to honor her legacy, and discussions around her life, works, and contributions to history remain prevalent.
Chang suffered a nervous breakdown in August 2004, which her family, friends, and doctors attributed in part to constant sleep deprivation, dozens of herbal supplements, and heavy doses of psychologically damaging prescription medication. At the time, she was several months into research for her fourth book, about the Bataan Death March.
She was also promoting The Chinese in America. While en route to Harrodsburg, Kentucky, where she planned to gain access to a "time capsule" of audio recordings from servicemen, she suffered an extreme bout of depression that left her unable to leave her hotel room in Louisville.
A local veteran, Arthur Kelly, who was assisting her research, helped her check into Norton Psychiatric Hospital in Louisville, where she was diagnosed with reactive psychosis, placed on heavy medication for three days and then released to her parents.
After the release from the hospital, she continued to suffer from depression and experienced the side effects of several medications she was taking. Chang was also reportedly deeply disturbed by much of the subject matter of her research.
Net Worth and Salary
Iris Chang's net worth at the time of her death was estimated to be around $1 million. Her substantial earnings primarily came from her bestselling books and speaking engagements. In a hypothetical scenario where she continued her career, one could speculate that Chang's net worth might have increased significantly due to her continued success and influence in academia and activist circles.
After publication of the book, Chang campaigned to persuade the Japanese government to apologize for its troops' wartime conduct and to pay compensation.
Career, Business and Investments
Iris Chang's career was marked by her passionate writing and advocacy on issues of historical significance. "The Rape of Nanking" and her other works shed light on often forgotten narratives of war and suffering. Additionally, she authored "Thread of the Silkworm," which chronicled the life of Chinese-American scientist Dr. Tsien Hsue-shen. In 2025, it is conceivable that Chang would have engaged in various educational endeavors, workshops, and lectures, further enriching her contributions to literature and history.
After brief stints at the Associated Press and the Chicago Tribune, she pursued a master's degree in Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University. She began her career as an author and lectured and wrote magazine articles.
Social Network
Although Chang was actively engaged in her writing and advocacy, she did not have a strong presence on social media platforms, as these were not widely used during her lifetime. In a 2025 context, one could imagine her leveraging social media to spread awareness about her writings and related topics, connecting with a wider audience passionate about human rights and historical narratives.
Chang wrote three books documenting the experiences of Chinese and Chinese Americans in history. Her first, Thread of the Silkworm (Basic Books, 1995) tells the life story of the Chinese professor, Qian Xuesen (or Tsien Hsue-shen) during the Red Scare in the 1950s.
Although Qian was one of the founders of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and for many years helped the military of the United States debrief scientists from Nazi Germany, he was suddenly accused of being a spy and a member of the Communist Party USA, and was placed under house arrest from 1950 to 1955.
Qian left for the People's Republic of China in September 1955. Upon his return to China, Qian developed the Dongfeng missile program, and later the Silkworm missile, which was used by the Iraqi military during its war on Iran and against the United States-led coalitions during the Persian Gulf War and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Education
Iris Chang graduated with a B.A. in history from the University of California, Berkeley. Her education played a crucial role in shaping her worldview, informing her writing, and driving her activism. Her academic background was instrumental in her relentless pursuit of truth and justice, elements that were evident in all her works.
In conclusion, Iris Chang remains a powerful figure whose intellectual contributions and dedication to activism have paved the way for future generations. Imagining her journey in 2025 allows us to reflect on the enduring impact of her work and the importance of preserving history, no matter how painful.
She was the daughter of university professors Ying-Ying and Shau-Jin Chang, who moved from China to Taiwan and later to the United States, and grew up hearing stories about the Nanjing massacre, from which her maternal grandparents escaped. When she tried finding books about the subject in the Champaign Public Library, she found there were none.
