Who Is Norman Mailer? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Norman Mailer was born on January 31, 1923, and he passed away on November 10, 2007. At the time of his death, he had become one of the most influential American novelists, essayists, and playwrights. Known for his provocative writing style and exploration of controversial issues, Mailer’s works often bridged the gap between fiction and journalism, earning him a prominent spot in literary circles. His tumultuous life was filled with notable events, including his involvement in political activism and public feuds.
Despite his passing, Mailer's influence persists in the literary community, with many contemporary writers drawing inspiration from his work. His legacy continues to be celebrated and examined in various forms.
| Occupation | Screenwriter |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 31, 1923 |
| Age | 84 Years |
| Birth Place | Long Branch, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | Jersey |
| Date of death | 10 November, 2007 |
| Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
Norman Mailer's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
During his life, Norman Mailer was a tall figure, standing at approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm). Although specific details regarding his weight fluctuate over the years were not widely documented, Mailer's physical presence was often noted in interviews and public appearances. His strong stature matched his vigorous and larger-than-life personality both on and off the page.
From the mid-1950s, Mailer became known for his countercultural essays. In 1955, he co-founded The Village Voice and was initially an investor and silent partner, but later he wrote a column called "Quickly: A Column for Slow Readers" from January to April 1956.
His articles published in this column, 17 in total, were important in his development of a philosophy of hip, or "American existentialism," and allowed him to discover his penchant for journalism.
Mailer's famous essay "The White Negro" (1957) fleshes out the hipster figure who stands in opposition to forces that seek debilitating conformity in American society. It is believed to be among the most anthologized, and controversial, essays of the postwar period.
Mailer republished it in 1959 in his miscellany Advertisements for Myself, which he described as "The first work I wrote with a style I could call my own." The reviews were positive, and most commentators referred to it as his breakthrough work.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Norman Mailer had a complex personal life characterized by multiple marriages and relationships. He was married six times, with notable partners such as Beatrice Silverman, Joan Borson, and Barbara (last name), each of which significantly influenced his personal narrative and literary output. He had nine children, reflecting his extensive family connections.
As of 2025, while Mailer is no longer with us, his legacy continues through his children and their endeavors, which often reflect elements of his own creativity and engagement with the world.
In 1960, Mailer was convicted of assault and served a three-year probation after he stabbed his wife Adele Morales with a penknife, nearly killing her. In 1969, he ran an unsuccessful campaign to become the mayor of New York, finishing fourth in the Democratic primaries. Mailer was married six times and had nine children.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2007, Norman Mailer had an estimated net worth of around $10 million. His wealth was predominantly generated through his prolific writing career, which included bestselling novels, screenplays, and essays. Mailer also ventured into film production and public speaking, which contributed additional income streams throughout his life. In 2025, his estate continues to earn through posthumous publications and royalties, keeping his literary legacy financially viable.
Career, Business and Investments
Mailer’s career spanned nearly six decades, beginning in the 1940s. He gained fame with his first novel, The Naked and the Dead (1948), a visceral account of World War II. His work extended beyond fiction into essays and biographies, with significant titles like Armies of the Night and The Executioner's Song.
In addition to writing, Mailer was involved in business ventures, including film adaptations of his works. He also invested in various endeavors that aligned with his interests in politics, culture, and the arts. His ability to merge literary genius with practical business acumen was a hallmark of his multifaceted career.
Nachem Malech Mailer (January 31, 1923 – November 10, 2007), known by his pen name Norman Kingsley Mailer, was an American writer, journalist and filmmaker. In a career spanning more than six decades, Mailer had 11 best-selling books, at least one in each of the seven decades after World War II.
Social Network
Though Norman Mailer passed away in 2007, his legacy continues to find relevance on social media and in literary circles. Various educational institutions, fans, and organizations dedicated to literature celebrate Mailer through online platforms, discussing his works and contributions to American literature. Documentaries and podcasts about his life and writings also keep the spirit of his thought alive, allowing a new generation to engage with his material.
Mailer was raised in Brooklyn, first in Flatbush on Cortelyou Road and later in Crown Heights at the corner of Albany and Crown Streets. He graduated from Boys High School and entered Harvard College in 1939, when he was 16 years old. As an undergraduate, he was a member of the Signet Society.
At Harvard, he majored in engineering but took writing courses as electives. He published his first story, "The Greatest Thing in the World", at age 18, winning Story magazine's college contest in 1941.
Education
Norman Mailer attended Harvard University, where he studied engineering before shifting his focus to writing. He graduated in 1943, and during his time at Harvard, he began to hone his craft, participating in creative writing courses and contributing to student publications. His educational background, coupled with his military experience as a soldier in World War II, deeply influenced his writing and worldview.
Mailer's major new journalism, or creative nonfiction, books also include Miami and the Siege of Chicago (1968), an account of the 1968 political conventions; Of a Fire on the Moon (1971), a long report on the Apollo 11 mission to the moon; The Prisoner of Sex (1971), his response to Kate Millett's critique of the patriarchal myths in the works of
Mailer, Jean Genet, Henry Miller and D.H.
Lawrence; and The Fight (1975), an account of Muhammad Ali's 1974 defeat in Zaire of George Foreman for the heavyweight boxing championship. Miami, Fire and Prisoner were all finalists for the National Book Award. The hallmark of his five New Journalism works is his use of illeism, or referring to oneself in the third person, rather than the first.
Mailer said he got the idea from reading The Education of Henry Adams (1918) when he was a Harvard freshman. Mailer also employs many of the most common techniques of fiction in his creative nonfiction.
