Who Is Ken Follett? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Ken Follett was born on June 5, 1949, making him 75 years old as of 2025. A prominent British author, Follett is best known for his historical fiction, particularly the worldwide bestseller "The Pillars of the Earth." With a remarkable career spanning several decades, he has carved out a niche in the literary world, producing gripping narratives that blend history, suspense, and deep character development.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 5, 1949 |
| Age | 76 Years |
| Birth Place | Cardiff, Wales |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country |
Popularity
Ken Follett's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Ken Follett's height and weight are not widely publicized, he is generally described as having a tall and distinguished presence common among many authors. As he reaches his mid-seventies, it's important to acknowledge that age may influence personal health and fitness.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Ken Follett is married to Barbara Follett, a successful author and politician. The couple has been together for many years and shares a strong bond. Follett has previously spoken about the importance of family in his life, often dedicating his works to his loved ones. He has two children from his first marriage, who have pursued various careers outside the literary world.
He was the first child of Martin Follett, a tax inspector, and Lavinia (Veenie) Follett, who went on to have two more children, Hannah and James. Barred from watching films and television by his Plymouth Brethren parents, he developed an early interest in reading but remained an indifferent student until he entered his teens.
His family moved to London when he was ten years old, and he began applying himself to his studies at Harrow Weald Grammar School and Poole Technical College.
Net Worth and Salary
Ken Follett's estimated net worth in 2025 is around $20 million. His earnings are primarily derived from book sales, which have totaled over 170 million copies worldwide, as well as royalties from film and television adaptations of his works. Follett's continued success and popularity allow him to maintain a lucrative career long after his initial rise to fame.
Success came slowly at first, but the 1978 release of Eye of the Needle changed everything. The novel became an international bestseller, selling over 10 million copies worldwide, which brought him both wealth and global recognition..
Career, Business and Investments
Ken Follett began his writing career in the late 1970s, and his breakthrough novel, "Eye of the Needle," established him as a key figure in the thriller genre. Over the years, he diversified into historical fiction, notably with "The Century Trilogy," which gained him critical acclaim and an even wider readership. In addition to writing, Follett has ventured into business by serving as a partner in several publishing endeavors and has made investments in charitable organizations related to literacy and education.
Follett's commercial breakthrough came with the spy thriller Eye of the Needle (1978). After writing more best-sellers in the genre in the 1980s, he branched into historical fiction with The Pillars of the Earth (1989), an epic set in medieval England which became his best-known work and the first published in the Kingsbridge series.
He has continued to write in both genres, including the Century Trilogy. Many of his books have achieved high ranking on bestseller lists, including the number-one position on the New York Times Best Seller list.
Social Network
As of 2025, Ken Follett maintains an active presence on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, where he engages with readers and shares insights into his writing process. His online presence has helped him connect with fans around the globe, promoting his novels and participating in discussions on literature.
Each of Follett's subsequent novels has become a best-seller, ranking high on the New York Times Best Seller list; a number have been adapted for the screen. As of January 2018, he had published 44 books. The first five best sellers were spy thrillers: Eye of the Needle (1978), Triple (1979), The Key to Rebecca (1980), The Man from St.
Petersburg (1982) and Lie Down with Lions (1986). On Wings of Eagles (1983) was the true story of how two of Ross Perot's employees were rescued from Iran during the revolution of 1979.
The next three novels, Night Over Water (1991), A Dangerous Fortune (1993) and A Place Called Freedom (1995) were more historical than thriller, but he returned to the thriller genre with The Third Twin (1996) which in the Publishing Trends annual survey of international fiction best-sellers for 1997 was ranked no.
2 worldwide, after John Grisham's The Partner. His next work, The Hammer of Eden (1998), was another contemporary suspense story followed by a Cold War thriller, Code to Zero (2000).
Education
Ken Follett attended University College London, where he earned a degree in philosophy. His educational background provided him with a strong foundation for his writing career, enhancing his understanding of complex themes and character development, which are prominent in his works.
In 1967, he was admitted to University College London, where he studied philosophy and became active in centre-left politics. After graduating in 1970, he completed a three-month postgraduate journalism course and began working as a trainee reporter for his hometown newspaper the South Wales Echo in Cardiff.
