COUNTRY OF BIRTH

Nigeria

INDUSTRY

Literature, Activism

TOP ACHIEVEMENTS

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is well-known for the literary masterpieces she’s written throughout her long-standing career, as well as two landmark TED Talks in 2009 and 2012. Covering an array of topics, her books have gained international recognition, have been translated into over 30 languages worldwide, and continue to receive exceptional awards. Her first novel Purple Hibiscus, won the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize in 2003. In 2006, Half a Yellow Sun won the Orange Prize and Americanah won the US National Book Critics Circle Award, and was named one of the New York Times top ten books of 2013. In 2017 she published Dear Ijeawele or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions. In 2020, she released Zikora on sexism and single motherhood, followed by Notes on Grief, after the passing of her father in 2001.

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Born in Enugu, Nigeria, on September 15, 1977, Ngozi Adichie was a passionate reader from a young age. As one of six children, she grew up in Nsukka, Nigeria until moving to the United States to attend Easter Connecticut State University, where she studied Communications and Political Science. She graduated summa cum laude when she turned 19. She later received a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University in 2003 and a master’s degree in African History at Yale University in 2008. Additionally, she holds honorary doctorate degrees from prestigious universities such as Eastern Connecticut State University, Johns Hopkins University, Haverford College, Williams College, the University of Edinburgh, Duke University, Georgetown University, Yale University, Rhode Island School of Design, and Northwestern University.

EARLY CAREER

Much of Ngozi Adichie’s early career explores the Nigeria-Biafra war – a war that greatly impacted her. In 1998, she wrote a play called For Love of Biafra followed closely by several short stories revolving around the conflict, which paved the path to her popular novel Half of a Yellow Sun in 2006. Her first novel, Purple Hibiscus is also set in Nigeria and explores a wealthy family with a religious father – another theme present throughout her career.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has been described as “the most prominent of a procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors, attracting a new generation of readers to African literature” by The Times Literary Supplement. She continues to lead in her field by covering topics ranging from race and religion to LGBT Rights and life in America as an African woman.

RECOGNITION

Throughout her career, Ngozi Adichie has reached multiple levels of success.

• In 2008, she was awarded a Macarthur Genius Grant;
• In 2015, she was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World;
• In 2017, Fortune Magazine named her one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders;
• Her second novel Half of a Yellow Sun (2006) became a film in 2013;
• Her two famous TED Talks were worked into the nonfiction essay We Should All Be Feminists, which gained popularity and was featured in “Flawless” by Beyonce.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

• Ngozi Adichie divides her time between Nigeria and the United States, leading creative writing workshops.
• She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters as well as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.