Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert is a best-selling novelist and memoirist. She has written nine books, including two New York Times Bestsellers and is best known for her 2006 memoir, Eat Pray Love. Her writing covers a wide range of topics including personal experiences, spirituality, psychology, relationships, and travel.

Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Gilbert is the daughter of a chemical engineer and teacher, and began writing short stories at the age of fifteen. She graduated from New York University (NYU) in 1993 and traveled to New York City to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. After writing several unsuccessful novels, she wrote her first successful and published novel Pilgrims (1997) and is known for her honest and heartfelt writing.

Gilbert's memoir, Eat Pray Love, is the story of her journey around the world in search of self-discovery. After a divorce, and on the brink of turning 30, Gilbert decided to take a year off and embark on a journey to Italy, India, and Indonesia. During her travels, Gilbert developed a new approach to life, with a profound focus on joy and gratitude, as she documented her journey in her memoir, which has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. The success of Eat Pray Love was extended with the 2010 film adaptation of the novel, starring Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem.

Since then, Gilbert's writing has continued to center on the theme of self-discovery and understanding one’s purpose and its relationship to spirituality. Committed: A Love Story (2010) is a memoir exploring her pathway to true love, while Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear (2015) focuses on inspiring readers to make the most of their lives and to live authentically and creatively. 2018’s City of Girls is a love letter to the 1940s and features a mix of romance and the power of friendship.

Outside of her literary work, Gilbert is active in creative projects and often guest speaks at international events. Among her most popular hosting roles is the TED talk The Signature of All Things-Embracing Your Curiosity which evokes themes from her novel The Signature of All Things, as well as from her life, and encourages self-exploration.

Overall, Gilbert’s writing is reflective of her own personal journey, being intensely personal yet accessible to many readers. Through her work, Gilbert provides readers with a glimpse of her own journey to a better understanding of her purpose and happiness. Gilbert has crafted her way into the hearts of millions of people and shows no signs of slowing down.