Ken Follett Net Worth and Bio - Discover the Success Story of the Bestselling Author

Ken Follett, a British author and a master storyteller, is known for writing gripping historical novels that have sold over 165 million copies worldwide. He has written more than 30 books that has been translated into 35 different languages, making him one of the most successful authors of his generation.

Born on June 5, 1949 in Cardiff, Wales, Follett began his career as a journalist and later turned to fiction writing. His breakthrough novel, "Eye of the Needle" was published in 1978 and became an international bestseller, earning him critical acclaim and establishing his reputation as a master of suspense.

With a career spanning over four decades, Ken Follett has produced an enviable body of work that ranges from spy thrillers to epic historical sagas. He has won numerous awards for his novels, and his books have been adapted into successful movies and TV series.

In this article, we will take a closer look at Ken Follett's life, his work, and explore the secrets behind his phenomenal success. We will also delve into his net worth, his personal life, and his impact on the literary world.

Ken Follett: Net Worth, Age, Born, Gender, Height, Country of Origin, Source of Wealth

Key Facts

• Ken Follett is a renowned author from Wales known for his historical and thriller novels.
• He was born on June 5, 1949, in Cardiff, Wales.
• Follett has authored over 30 books, most of which have become international bestsellers.
• His most famous works include The Pillars of the Earth, World Without End, and The Century Trilogy.
• Follett's books have been translated into over 30 languages and have sold over 165 million copies worldwide.
• He was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his contributions to literature in 1995.
• Follett's net worth is estimated to be $50 million, making him one of the wealthiest authors in the world.
• He is a supporter of various charitable organizations, including the NSPCC, Amnesty International, and the National Literacy Trust.

Early Life

Kenneth Martin Follett, also known as Ken Follett, was born in Cardiff, Wales in 1949. His parents were both members of the Welsh working class, with his father being a tax inspector and his mother being a housewife. He was raised in a Christian family with a strong focus on education.

As a child, Follett developed a love for reading and spent many hours at the local library. He was particularly interested in history and would later use this passion in his novels. Despite struggling with dyslexia, he excelled in school and went on to study philosophy at University College London.

After graduating, Follett worked as a journalist for several years, covering stories all around the world. He gained a reputation for his strong investigative skills and his ability to write compelling stories. It wasn't until his first novel, "The Big Needle," was published in 1974 that he began to focus on writing full-time.

• Fun fact: Follett's first novel was actually a spy thriller that he wrote when he was just 23 years old.

Career

Early Years

Kenneth Martin Follett was born on June 5, 1949, in Cardiff, Wales. He began his career as a journalist, working for various newspapers in the UK, including the Evening Standard and the Sunday Times. His work as a journalist inspired him to write his first novel, "The Big Needle," which was published in 1974.

Novels

Follett has written over 30 novels, many of which have become bestsellers. His novels cover a wide range of genres, including historical fiction, spy thrillers, and war novels. One of his most popular novels, "The Pillars of the Earth," was published in 1989 and is a historical novel set in 12th-century England. Follett's most recent novel, "The Evening and the Morning," was published in 2020 and is a prequel to "The Pillars of the Earth."

Television and Film

Follett's novels have been adapted for television and film. In 2010, "The Pillars of the Earth" was adapted into an eight-part television miniseries. The miniseries starred Ian McShane and Matthew Macfadyen and was nominated for multiple Emmy awards. Follett's novel "Eye of the Needle" was adapted into a film in 1981, starring Donald Sutherland and Kate Nelligan.

Philanthropy

Follett is a philanthropist and has been involved with several organizations throughout his career. He is a patron of the National Literacy Trust, which aims to improve literacy rates in the UK. Follett is also a supporter of the Alzheimer's Society and has raised money for the organization through the publication of his novel "A Column of Fire." Follett and his wife also established the Follett Trust, which has donated over £25 million to charitable causes since its inception in 1984.

How Ken Follett Spends his Money?

Ken Follett is a successful author with a net worth of millions of dollars. He has earned his wealth through his bestselling novels, including "The Pillars of the Earth" and "Fall of Giants."

With a net worth of this size, it is no surprise that Ken Follett enjoys a luxurious lifestyle and has a taste for the finer things in life. He has been known to spend his money on high-end real estate properties, luxury cars, and exotic vacations.

Additionally, Ken Follett is a philanthropist and has donated a portion of his wealth to various charitable causes. He has supported causes such as education and the arts and has donated to organizations focused on improving literacy rates in underprivileged communities.

• Real Estate Properties:

Ken Follett has been known to invest in high-end real estate properties all over the world. He owns multiple properties in different countries, including his primary residence in England and a vacation home in France.

• Luxury Cars:

Ken Follett is a car enthusiast and owns a collection of high-end luxury cars. He has been seen driving around his neighborhood in his luxury Mercedes-Benz and has even owned classic cars such as a Jaguar E-Type.

• Exotic Vacations:

Ken Follett enjoys traveling to exotic locations around the world, and he spares no expense when it comes to planning his vacations. He has been known to visit destinations such as Bora Bora, the Maldives, and other tropical paradises.

• Philanthropy:

Ken Follett is a generous philanthropist and has donated to various charitable causes over the years. He has supported organizations focused on education, the arts, and improving literacy rates in underprivileged communities.

In summary, Ken Follett enjoys his wealth by investing in high-end real estate, owning luxury cars, traveling to exotic locations, and giving back to his community through philanthropy.

Highlights of Ken Follett

Writing Career

Ken Follett is a British author who has sold over 170 million copies of his books worldwide. He is best known for his historical novels that blend fact and fiction. Some of his most famous works include The Pillars of the Earth, World Without End, and Fall of Giants.

Throughout his writing career, Follett has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work. He has won the Edgar Award, the Dagger Award, and the Corine International Book Award. In addition, several of his books have been adapted into successful television miniseries.

Business Ventures

Aside from his successful writing career, Follett has also ventured into business. He is the founder of the Follett Corporation, a company that operates over 1,200 college bookstores in the United States. The company also provides educational technology, services, and content to schools and universities.

In addition, Follett owns several luxury hotels and resorts around the world, including the historic Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, California, and the La Residence hotel in Hue, Vietnam.

Philanthropy

Despite his success in business and writing, Follett remains committed to philanthropy. He and his wife Barbara set up the Follett Trust in 1996 to support charitable causes in the United Kingdom. The trust has donated millions of pounds to organizations that focus on education, health care, and the arts.

In 2010, the Folletts donated £100,000 towards the restoration of the Salisbury Cathedral's Magna Carta, one of only four copies of the historic document in existence.

Net Worth

As of 2021, Ken Follett's net worth is estimated to be around $50 million. His earnings come from his successful writing career, business ventures, and various philanthropic endeavors.

Favorite Quotes from Ken Follett

The power of storytelling

"We don't talk about anything except the human story. I think that's what draws readers to us: the fact that we tell stories." - Ken Follett

Ken Follett believes in the power of storytelling. He believes that stories have the power to connect people and help them understand each other. His books are a testament to this belief.

The importance of research

"I do a lot of research. I read voraciously and take notes, and then I think about what I've learned and how I can use it." - Ken Follett

Ken Follett is known for his immersive storytelling, and this is due in no small part to his dedication to researching his settings and subjects in great detail. He understands that accurate research helps him to create believable and compelling stories.

On finding inspiration

"People ask me where I get my ideas from, and I say 'I don't know, they just come to me.'" - Ken Follett

Inspiration strikes in mysterious ways, and Ken Follett is no exception. He believes that ideas are all around us, and it's up to us as writers to find them. Sometimes they come in the form of a news story, a conversation, or even a dream.

On perseverance

"The best piece of advice I ever got was, 'Keep writing even if you think you're writing badly. Just keep writing and eventually it will get better.'" - Ken Follett

Writing is a craft that takes time and practice to master. Ken Follett knows this better than most. He has been writing for over 40 years, and he understands that perseverance is key to success. Even when he's not feeling inspired, he keeps at it, knowing that eventually the words will come.

Lessons to Learn from Ken Follett's Success Journey

1. Perseverance is the Key to Success

Ken Follett's success journey is an epitome of perseverance. He started his writing career at a young age, and after facing multiple rejections, he did not lose hope. Instead, he continued to write and eventually got his first break with the publication of his novel, "Eye of the Needle," which became a bestseller. This taught us that perseverance and determination can lead to success, even when faced with rejections and failures.

2. Embrace your Passion and Follow your Dreams

Ken Follett is a firm believer in embracing your passion, and he followed his dreams of becoming a writer. He didn't give up on his passion for writing, even when the odds were against him. This teaches us that if we have a dream, we should pursue it with passion and dedication, irrespective of the challenges and difficulties.

3. Continuous Learning is Crucial for Growth

Ken Follett's success journey is a testament to the fact that continuous learning and improvement are crucial for growth. He dedicated time to learn about different topics in history, architecture, and politics, which became the foundation of his writing style. This teaches us that learning should never stop, and we should continue to improve our skills and knowledge to achieve success.

4. Taking Risks and Stepping Out of Comfort Zones

Ken Follett is not afraid to take risks and step out of his comfort zone. He has written in different genres that are not typical for his writing style, such as thrillers, spy novels, and historical fiction. This teaches us that taking risks and stepping out of our comfort zones can lead to new opportunities and success.

5. Hard work and Dedication

Ken Follett's success is a result of years of hard work and dedication to his craft. He spends countless hours researching and writing, which has led to the success of his novels. This teaches us that success requires hard work, dedication, and a strong work ethic.

Interesting Facts About Ken Follett

1. Multi-talented Career

Ken Follett is not only a successful author, but he has also worked as a journalist and a musician. He started his career as a journalist in Cardiff and later became a reporter for the London Evening News. In addition to that, he was a member of a folk band called "Magnum".

2. Accidentally became a novelist

Ken Follett never planned to become a novelist. He started writing his first novel, "Eye of the Needle" while working as a journalist. He was planning to write a thriller, but it turned out to be a historical novel. The book was a huge success, and it was later adapted into a movie.

3. His books are translated into over 30 languages

Ken Follett's books are widely popular, and they are translated into more than 30 languages. His most famous works include "The Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End", which are both historical fiction novels set in medieval England.

4. Ken Follett is a philanthropist

Ken Follett is involved in various philanthropic activities. He supports charities such as Oxfam and the National Literacy Trust. In 2010, he donated £25,000 to help victims of the Haiti earthquake.

5. Love for Flying

Ken Follett has a passion for flying. He obtained his private pilot's license in the 1970s and even owned a small plane. His love for flying is reflected in his novel "Night Over Water", which is about a group of passengers on a transatlantic flight during World War II.

Summary

Ken Follett's Wealth and Life in Brief

Ken Follett has established himself as a world-renowned author, with more than 30 best-sellers to his name, spanning across several genres. Born on June 5, 1949, in Cardiff, Wales, Ken Follett's net worth, as of 2021, is estimated to be $60 million. His writing career began in the early 1970s, and he made a name for himself with the release of his first novel, "The Big Needle" in 1974.

Over the years, Ken Follett has built a massive fan base because of his unique writing style and his ability to blend facts and fiction seamlessly. He has won numerous awards and accolades in his career, including an honorary Doctor of Literature degree from Saginaw Valley State University.

Ken Follett's books have been translated into more than 30 languages, and it's safe to say that he has made a significant impact on the literary world. In addition to his writing career, Ken Follett is also a philanthropist, and he has donated to several charitable organizations over the years.

In conclusion, Ken Follett's net worth speaks to his success and accomplishments in the literary world. He continues to inspire and engage readers with his writing, and his story serves as a source of motivation for aspiring writers across the globe.

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