Who Is Ta-Nehisi Coates? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Ta-Nehisi Coates was born on September 30, 1975, which makes him 50 years old as of 2025. He is an acclaimed American writer and journalist known for his powerful essays on race, culture, and politics in America. Coates gained prominence with his influential book, "Between the World and Me," which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. His works reflect his personal experiences growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, and offer a deep insight into the African American experience.
| Occupation | Journalist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 30, 1975 |
| Age | 49 Years |
| Birth Place | Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Ta-Nehisi Coates's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Ta-Nehisi Coates stands approximately 6 feet tall and weighs around 185 pounds. His athletic build gives him a commanding presence, contributing to his engaging public speaking and literary appearances.
- Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
- Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)
- Body Measurements: Not publicly disclosed, but he maintains an active lifestyle.
* with Richard Harrington, Nelson George, and Kojo Nnamdi. Hip Hop. Washington, D.C.: WAMU, American University, 1999. Audio conversation recorded January 29, 1999, at WAMU-FM, Washington, D.C.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Ta-Nehisi Coates is married to cultural critic and writer, Sonia Sanchez. The couple has a son, Samori Coates. Coates values the importance of family and often shares insights about fatherhood and marriage through his writings and interviews. As of 2025, there have been no reports of any significant changes in his relationship status.
- Spouse: Sonia Sanchez
- Children: One son, Samori Coates
- Status: Married
His father, William Paul Coates (known by his middle name), was a Vietnam War veteran, former Black Panther, publisher, and librarian. His mother, Cheryl Lynn Coates (née Waters), was a teacher. Coates's first name, Ta-Nehisi, is derived from an ancient Egyptian language name for Nubia (reconstructed as ) – a region along the Nile river in present-day northern Sudan and southern Egypt.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Ta-Nehisi Coates’s estimated net worth is around $5 million. His earnings primarily come from his literary works, journalism, speaking engagements, and various media projects. Coates has also benefited from several prestigious fellowships and teaching positions, further boosting his income.
- Net Worth: $5 million
- Annual Salary: Estimated at $500,000 - $1 million
Career, Business, and Investments
Coates began his career as a journalist, working for publications like The Atlantic, where he explored themes of race and identity. His writing has earned widespread acclaim and has sparked significant conversations about racism in America. In addition to his bestselling books, Coates has ventured into screenwriting, contributing to the Marvel Comics series Black Panther and Captain America. He is actively involved in media production and has invested in various projects that align with his passion for storytelling and social change.
Coates attended a number of Baltimore-area schools, including William H. Lemmel Middle School and the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, before graduating from Woodlawn High School. He attended Howard University, leaving after five years to start a career in journalism. He is the only child in his family without a college degree.
In mid-2014, Coates attended an intensive program in French at Middlebury College to prepare for a writing fellowship in Paris, France.
Social Network
Ta-Nehisi Coates is active on various social media platforms where he engages with fans and shares his thoughts on current events, politics, and culture. His Twitter presence is particularly notable, where he has built a substantial following:
- Twitter: @tanehisicoates
- Instagram: Not publicly available
- Facebook: Not actively maintained
Coates has worked as a guest columnist for The New York Times, having turned down an offer to become a regular columnist there. He has written for The Washington Post, the Washington Monthly, and O, The Oprah Magazine.
Education
Coates graduated from Howard University, where he studied English. His educational background laid the foundation for his literary career, allowing him to explore complex themes and articulate his thoughts incisively. His time at Howard also played a crucial role in shaping his views on race and social justice.
Coates's second book, Between the World and Me, written as a letter to his son Samori, was published in 2015. The title is drawn from a Richard Wright poem of the same name about a black man discovering the site of a lynching and becoming incapacitated with fear, creating a barrier between himself and the world.
Coates said that one of the origins of the book was the death of a college friend, Prince Jones, who was shot by police in a case of mistaken identity. One of the book's themes is what physically affected African-American lives, such as their bodies being enslaved, violence that came from slavery, and various forms of institutional racism.
The book won the 2015 National Book Award for Nonfiction and was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. It was 7th on The Guardian 's list of the 100 best books of the 21st century.
Conclusion
As of 2025, Ta-Nehisi Coates continues to be a formidable voice in American literature and journalism. His insightful writings and public engagements make him a pivotal figure in the ongoing discourse about race, culture, and identity in America. Whether through his published works or through social media, Coates remains dedicated to illuminating the complexities of the Black experience in the modern world.
