Judy Blume Net Worth 2023: How Rich is the Writer Actually?

Judy Blume is an American writer who has published over 25 novels for children and adults. Her best-known novel includes Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, and Tales of a Fourth-Grade Nothing. As of 2023, Judy Blume net worth is estimated to be around $5 million.

Who is Judy Blume?

Judy Blume is a writer of children’s and adult fiction novels originally from New Jersey. Her novels are also focused on sex, menstruation, bullying, and other teenage concerns. Blume’s many books have been adapted for film. The most recent movie adaptation is based on her book, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret was released on April 28, 2023.

Judy Blume was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on February 12, 1938. She was born to Esther and Rudolph Sussman. Her mom is a homemaker and her father is a dentist. Blume grew up with her brother named David. She along with her brother and mother temporarily moved to Miami Beach after her older brother suffered a kidney infection.

Regarding her education, she studied at all-girls Battin High School. Then, she attended Boston University. She took a brief leave from school after being diagnosed with mononucleosis. Blume lost her father in 1959 and a year later, she married to a lawyer, John M. Blume. She completed her University graduation from New York University in 1961.

Judy Blume Net Worth & Career

Judy Blume was active in creative activities such as dance and piano throughout childhood. However, she didn’t dream of being a writer. She started writing novels after her kids began nursery school.

Judy published her first book titled The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo in 1969. After a year, she published her second book titled Iggie’s House. Then, she continued to write and eventually published 13 more books.

Blume got her breakthrough after publishing her third book, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, in 1970. It became a breakthrough best-seller and trailblazing novel in young adult literature. The book also established her as a leading voice in young adult fiction.

Judy came up with the controversial novel, Forever in 1975. it was the first novel that displayed teen sex as normal. Blume was inspired to write the novel after her 13-year-old daughter wished to read a book that includes sex between characters.

Blume began writing her 2015 novel, In the Unlikely Event gathering her past experiences where her father helped identify unrecognizable remains of the people who died in the airplane crashes in her hometown in 1951 and 1952. Other than publishing novels for teens and young children, she has focused on another genre, adult reality, and death.

In 1978, she published a novel, Wifey, which reached the top of The New York Times Best Seller List. Along with that, her 1983 novel, Smart Women also reached the top of the list in The New York Times. She came up with her third adult novel, Summer Sisters in 1998. The novel received wide appreciation and sold over three million copies.

Blume’s novels are often adapted into a film version. In 1978, the TV film based on her novel Forever was premiered on CBS. After a decade, in 1988, along with her son, she wrote and executive produced a small movie adaptation of her novel, Otherwise Known as Shelia the Great.

Judy is also the subject of the documentary movie, Judy Blame Forever. The documentary was premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. In February 2023, a feature film titled Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret was announced. The movie hit the theatre on April 28, 2023. 

Judy Blume’s Husband & Personal Life

Judy Blume is married to George Cooper. She exchanged wedding vows with Cooper in 1987. It was her third marriage following her divorce from her ex-husbands, John M. Blume, and Thomas A. Kitchens.

Blume has two kids from her first marriage. Her daughter, Randy is a pilot and therapst, and her son is a filmmaker and entrepreneur. Blume and Cooper have been married for over 35 years and never had kids together. Though, she has a stepdaughter named Amanda from Cooper’s past relationship.

Judy Blume Net Worth

Judy Blume has earned an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2023. She has amassed a whopping fortune by publishing more than 25 novels. Blume’s novels have sold more than 82 million copies. Her books have also been translated into 32 languages.