Who Is Patricia Highsmith? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on January 19, 1921, Patricia Highsmith was a groundbreaking American novelist and short story writer, best known for her psychological thrillers and character-driven narratives. With her passing in 1995 at the age of 74, her influence on the literary world continues to thrive, particularly through her most notable works like "Strangers on a Train" and the Tom Ripley series. Over the years, Highsmith garnered acclaim for her exploration of morality, identity, and obsession, paving the way for modern psychological fiction. As of 2025, her legacy is celebrated within the literary canon and remains a point of interest for fans and scholars alike.
| Occupation | Novelist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 19, 1921 |
| Age | 74 Years |
| Birth Place | Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Date of death | 4 February, 1995 |
| Died Place | Locarno, Ticino, Switzerland |
Popularity
Patricia Highsmith's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While data on Patricia Highsmith's exact height and weight is scarce, it is often noted that she had a petite stature. For context, her physical measurements were often described as indicative of a strong, independent personality that resonated through her writing. Had she been alive today, her public presence would likely echo the same distinctive, fronting nature that her characters often showcased.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Patricia Highsmith never married, but she had numerous relationships throughout her life that informed her writing and her personal experiences. Known for her complex interactions with various partners, she often drew from her life to create multifaceted characters. Highsmith's romantic relationships were marked by both intensity and tumult, which often reflected her personal struggles with identity and belonging. While she was primarily linked to women, her relationships were diverse, and she maintained a certain enigmatic quality that left an imprint on her legacy.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, and mostly raised in her infancy by her maternal grandmother, Highsmith was taken to New York City at the age of six to live with her mother and stepfather. After graduating college in 1942, she worked as a writer for comic books while writing her own short stories and novels in her spare time.
Her literary breakthrough came with the publication of her first novel Strangers on a Train (1950) which was adapted into a 1951 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Her 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley was well received in the United States and Europe, cementing her reputation as a major writer of psychological thrillers.
Net Worth and Salary
Although Patricia Highsmith's exact net worth at the time of her death isn't publicly documented in comprehensive detail, her works continue to garner substantial earnings through book sales, royalties, and adaptations in film and television. In 2025, her estate receives ongoing financial benefits from the various adaptations of her works, solidifying her status as a significant contributor to American literature and adding to her posthumous financial legacy.
To help pay for her therapy sessions, Highsmith had taken a sales job in December 1948 in the toy section of Bloomingdale's department store. One day she served an elegant blonde woman in a mink coat who left her delivery details. Her name was Kathleen Senn and the encounter inspired Highsmith to begin writing The Price of Salt.
She twice went to Senn's home to secretly observe her and, although they never met, Highsmith wrote that Senn "almost made me love her."
Career, Business and Investments
Highsmith's literary career began to flourish in the 1950s with the publication of her first novel, "Strangers on a Train." Over her prolific career, she published numerous captivating novels, short stories, and essays, earning her a dedicated following and critical acclaim. Her impact on the thriller genre is profound, with many modern writers citing her as an influence. In addition to her writing, Highsmith engaged in various literary circles and contributed to genre conventions, often discussing her philosophies on creating complex characters and narratives.
Her investment in her own work led Highsmith to explore adaptations and collaborations in film. Several of her stories were adapted into successful movies, further extending the reach of her stories and emphasizing her relevance long after her passing.
After graduating in 1942, Highsmith, despite endorsements from "highly placed professionals," applied without success for a job at publications such as Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Mademoiselle, Good Housekeeping, Time, Fortune, and The New Yorker. She eventually found work with FFF Publishers which provided copy for various Jewish publications.
The job, which paid $20 per week, lasted only six months but gave her experience in researching stories.
Social Network
Despite her reticent nature, Highsmith maintained relationships within intellectual and artistic circles throughout her life. Her correspondence with other writers, artists, and filmmakers illustrates her keen engagements with the cultural zeitgeist. If she were alive today, one could imagine her presence on platforms like Instagram or Twitter, sharing insights into her literary process while connecting with fans and fellow authors.
Patricia Highsmith (born Mary Patricia Plangman; January 19, 1921 – February 4, 1995) was an American novelist and short story writer widely known for her psychological thrillers, including her series of five novels featuring the character Tom Ripley.
She wrote 22 novels and numerous short stories in a career spanning nearly five decades, and her work has led to more than two dozen film adaptations. Her writing was influenced by existentialist literature, and questioned notions of identity and popular morality. She was dubbed "the poet of apprehension" by novelist Graham Greene.
Education
Patricia Highsmith attended Barnard College, where she initially majored in psychology before shifting her focus to writing. Her education played an integral role in shaping her literary career, as it provided her with the foundational knowledge necessary to create complex and psychologically probing characters. Highsmith's ability to weave psychological depth into her storytelling has made her works timeless, appealing to readers and academics even decades after her tenure.
Strangers on a Train was accepted for publication by Harper & Brothers in May 1949. The following month, Highsmith sailed to Europe where she spent three months in England, France and Italy. In Italy, she visited Positano which would later become the major setting for her novel The Talented Mr. Ripley. She read an anthology of Kierkegaard on the trip and declared him her new "master".
