Who Is Maeve Binchy? Age, Biography and Wiki
Maeve Binchy was born on May 28, 1939, and she passed away in 2012. If she were alive in 2025, she would be celebrating her 86th birthday. Binchy was a celebrated Irish novelist, playwright, and short story writer, renowned for her ability to create rich and relatable characters, often set against the backdrop of small-town Ireland. Her work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
| Occupation | Screenwriter |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 28, 1939 |
| Age | 73 Years |
| Birth Place | Dublin, Ireland |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | Ireland |
| Date of death | 30 July, 2012 |
| Died Place | Dublin, Ireland |
Popularity
Maeve Binchy's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific body measurements for Maeve Binchy are not documented extensively, her approachable and warm personality often shone through in her public appearances. She was recognized as a person grounded in her heritage with an aura that resonated well with her readers, ultimately reflecting her own personal style and charm.
Binchy died on 30 July 2012. She was 73 and had suffered from various maladies, including painful osteoarthritis. As a result of the arthritis she had a hip operation. A month before her death she suffered a severe spinal infection (acute discitis), and she finally succumbed to a heart attack.
Gordon was by her side when she died in a Dublin hospital. Just ahead of that evening's Tonight with Vincent Browne and TV3's late evening news, Vincent Browne and then Alan Cantwell, who respectively anchor these shows, announced to Irish television viewers that Binchy had died earlier that evening.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Maeve Binchy was married to writer Gordon Snell in 1974, and the couple remained together until her passing in 2012. They shared a love for literature and often collaborated on creative projects. Binchy's close-knit family background and her marriage to Snell played significant roles in her life and career, providing her with the emotional support crucial for her literary success.
Her parents were Catholics, and Binchy attended a convent school. However, a trip to Israel profoundly affected both her career and her faith. She later said to Vulture: "In 1963, I worked in a Jewish school in Dublin, teaching French with an Irish accent to kids, primarily Lithuanians. The parents there gave me a trip to Israel as a present.
I had no money, so I went and worked in a kibbutz – plucking chickens, picking oranges. My parents were very nervous; here I was going out to the Middle East by myself. I wrote to them regularly, telling them about the kibbutz. My father and mother sent my letters to a newspaper, which published them.
So I thought, It's not so hard to be a writer. Just write a letter home. After that, I started writing other travel articles."
Net Worth and Salary
During her lifetime, Maeve Binchy's net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, thanks to her bestselling novels and adaptations of her works into films and television. Her books, including quintessential titles like "Circle of Friends" and "Tara Road," continue to sell, thus enhancing her legacy and potentially increasing her posthumous earnings.
Following the publication of Light a Penny Candle, the programme sought Binchy to reappear to explain her success. In advance of her appearance she sent Mary O'Sullivan, who was working on the programme, a letter (the same one referred to above) setting out her earnings in some detail, since Binchy thought this would be of relevance.
She received an initial 5,000 Irish pounds for Light a Penny Candle. The paperback rights were sold for a British record for a first novel with a prepublication advance of £52,000 from Coronet. Viking Press paid Binchy $200,000 for the U.S. hardcover edition. The Literary Guild of America paid a further $50,000.
The French publisher paid Binchy 50,000 francs. Binchy wrote to O'Sullivan, "I thought it would be better if you knew the exact figures, then you could decide what was and what was not relevant".
O'Sullivan republished the letter in the Sunday Independent's Living supplement in 2020 but mentioned that the last page, which followed on from Binchy referring to what she intended to do with all her money, was missing.
Career, Business and Investments
Maeve Binchy’s career began as a student teacher, but she transitioned into journalism and later into fiction writing, where she found her true calling. Her debut novel, "Edward Said," was critically acclaimed, but it was her subsequent works that solidified her place as a leading figure in contemporary literature. Besides writing novels, Binchy also wrote essays and had a successful career as a playwright.
She had a knack for storytelling that not only entertained but also offered insight into the nuances of Irish life. Despite not having formal business training, her intuitive understanding of her audience allowed her to invest in her own brand effectively.
In 2014, University College Dublin announced the first annual Maeve Binchy Travel Award. The €4000 award will help student winners "pursue a novel travel trip to enhance their writing skills".
Social Network
Maeve Binchy was active in promoting her work and connecting with fans through various social media platforms, although she did not live to see the full influence of contemporary social media. However, her family and estate continue to maintain her legacy through strategic online engagement, celebrating her contributions to literature and keeping her memory alive.
Anne Maeve Binchy Snell (28 May 1939 – 30 July 2012) was an Irish novelist, playwright, short story writer, columnist, and speaker. Her novels were characterised by a sympathetic and often humorous portrayal of small-town life in Ireland, and surprise endings.
Her novels, which were translated into 37 languages, sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. Her death at age 73, announced by Vincent Browne on Irish television late on 30 July 2012, was mourned as the death of one of Ireland's best-loved and most recognisable writers.
Education
Maeve Binchy attended University College Dublin, where she studied English and History. This academic background laid a solid foundation for her writing career. She often drew inspiration from her education and experiences, creating deeply human stories that reflected her insights into everyday life.
As we reflect on Maeve Binchy's contributions to literature, her legacy remains intact. Through her books and the connections she fostered, she continues to inspire new generations of readers and writers alike.
Her siblings include one brother, William Binchy, Regius Professor of Laws at Trinity College Dublin, and two sisters: Irene "Renie" (who predeceased Binchy), and Joan, Mrs. Ryan. Her uncle was the historian D. A. Binchy (1899–1989).
Educated at St Anne's (then located at No 35 Clarinda Park East), Dún Laoghaire, and later at Holy Child Killiney, she went on to study at University College Dublin (where she earned a bachelor's degree in history).
She worked as a teacher of French, Latin, and history at various girls' schools, then as a journalist at The Irish Times, and later became a writer of novels, short stories, and dramatic works.
