Salman Rushdie was born on June 19, 1947 in Mumbai, India. His parents were wealthy merchants of Kashmiri descent. He attended Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai before moving to England to study at King's College, University of Cambridge, where he pursued a degree in history.
After graduating from Cambridge, Rushdie worked as a copywriter for the renowned international marketing and advertising agency, Ogilvy & Mather. During this time, he began writing his first novel, "Grimus," which was published in 1975. Although the book did not receive much critical acclaim, it marked the beginning of Rushdie's literary career.
In 1988, Rushdie published his most controversial work to date, "The Satanic Verses." The novel, which was inspired by the life of the Prophet Muhammad, sparked outrage among Muslims around the world for its perceived blasphemous content. Rushdie received death threats from high-ranking Iranian government officials, leading to years of living under police protection.
Despite the controversy surrounding "The Satanic Verses," Rushdie continued to write and publish works that garnered critical acclaim. In 1981, he won the prestigious Booker Prize for his novel, "Midnight's Children," which is considered one of his greatest literary achievements. Throughout his career, Rushdie has written a total of 12 fiction novels, many of which blend elements of historical fiction and magical realism.
Throughout his life, Rushdie has been married four times. He first wed Clarissa Luard in 1976, followed by marriages to author Marianne Wiggins (1988-1993), Elizabeth West (1997-2004), and actress/model Padma Lakshmi (2004-2007). Rushdie has two sons, Zafar and Milan, from his first and third marriages, respectively.
In recognition of his contributions to literature, Rushdie was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007. His work continues to be studied and celebrated by scholars and readers alike, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential and controversial authors of our time.
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