Stephenie Meyer: A Closer Look At The Iconic Author

How Much is Stephenie Meyer Worth?

Let’s talk about Stephenie Meyer, the woman who’s given us some of the most unforgettable characters in modern literature. With a net worth of $120 million, Stephenie Meyer has carved out a spot as one of the highest-selling fiction authors of all time. Her "Twilight" series, a global phenomenon, has sold over 100 million copies and inspired a blockbuster film franchise that brought in more than $3.3 billion at the box office. In just 2010 and 2011 alone, Meyer earned a staggering $40 million from book royalties and movie profits. That’s some serious cash for a story that started as a dream!

But her success doesn’t stop there. Meyer has also penned two adult novels, "The Host" and "The Chemist," along with a novella, "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner." She’s not just an author, though. Meyer’s production company, Fickle Fish Films, has been behind several movies, including "Breaking Dawn," "The Host," and "Austenland." Her influence extends beyond the page—she was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by "Time" magazine in 2008 and landed on "Forbes" list of the 100 most powerful celebrities the following year. Talk about making a mark!

Early Days: Growing Up Meyer

Stephenie Meyer, born Stephenie Morgan on December 24, 1973, in Hartford, Connecticut, had a pretty typical upbringing with a twist. She grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, surrounded by her mother Candy, father Stephen (a financial officer), and five siblings. From an early age, Meyer showed a knack for academics, earning a National Merit Scholarship in 1992. She went on to attend Brigham Young University in Utah, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature in 1997. She also took classes at Arizona State University, though her career as a receptionist was the only job she held before diving headfirst into writing.

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From Dream to Bestseller: The Start of Meyer’s Career

Meyer’s journey to becoming a literary powerhouse began with a vivid dream in June 2003. Picture this: an ordinary girl and a stunning, sparkly vampire discussing their love while grappling with the vampire’s desire to kill her. This dream became the foundation for the 13th chapter of "Twilight." Meyer wrote the first draft of the chapter, then the ending, and finally worked her way back to the beginning. The entire first novel was completed in just three months. Along the way, she joined the American Night Writers Association, a group for aspiring female writers who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which provided her with invaluable support.

The Twilight Saga: A Phenomenon is Born

After finishing her manuscript, Meyer's sister encouraged her to send it to literary agencies. She reached out to 15 agencies, but only one assistant at Writers House, Genevieve, showed interest. Genevieve requested the first three chapters, then the full manuscript, and eventually connected Meyer with literary agent Jodi Reamer. Jodi sent the manuscript to nine publishers, and Little, Brown and Company offered Meyer a three-book deal worth $750,000. "Twilight" was published on October 5, 2005, and within a month, it had climbed to #5 on "The New York Times" Children's Chapter Books bestseller list, eventually hitting the top spot. The book was so successful that "Publishers Weekly" named it Best Book of the Year.

Meyer followed up with "New Moon" in 2006, which spent nearly a year on "The New York Times" Children's Chapter Books list. "Eclipse" came out in 2007, and "Breaking Dawn" in 2008, selling an astonishing 1.3 million copies on its release day. Despite a plagiarism claim in 2009 by author Jordan Scott, which Meyer successfully refuted, the "Twilight" series continued to thrive. It has been translated into 37 languages and took the top four spots on the "USA Today" list of best-selling books in 2008 and 2009. The novels were adapted into five films, further cementing Meyer’s place in pop culture history. In 2020, Meyer released "Midnight Sun," a novel retelling "Twilight" from Edward’s perspective, which sold over a million copies in its first week.

Life Beyond Fiction: Stephenie Meyer's Personal World

Stephenie Meyer married Christiaan Meyer in 1994, when she was just 21 years old. They met as children at church and now have three sons: Gabe, Seth, and Eli. Christiaan retired from his job as an auditor to take care of the family after Stephenie’s career took off. Raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Meyer adheres to a lifestyle free of alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, and R-rated movies. These values are reflected in her characters, who avoid drinking, smoking, and pre-marital sex. Despite identifying as a feminist and believing that "the world is a better place when women are in charge," Meyer has faced criticism from feminists for Bella Swan’s dependency on Edward and the physical injuries she suffers after their marriage.

Recognition and Accolades

Stephenie Meyer’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed by the literary community. In 2006, she won the Best Fiction for Young Adults award from the Young Adult Library Services Association for "Twilight." In 2009, the British Book Awards honored "Breaking Dawn" with the Children's Book of the Year award. "USA Today" named her Author of the Year in 2008, recognizing her immense contribution to literature.

Real Estate: Where the Meyer Family Calls Home

In 2007, Stephenie and Christiaan purchased a 3,316 square foot home in Cave Creek, Arizona, for $819,000. This 5-bedroom house sits on an acre of land and boasts a fireplace, swimming pool, and stunning mountain views. It’s a perfect retreat for a family that values privacy and comfort, reflecting Meyer’s love for the simple pleasures in life.

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