Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born to Igbo parents, Grace Ifeoma and James Nwoye Adichie, in Enugu, Nigeria. Her father was a professor of statistics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Chimamanda began her primary education at the University of Nigeria Primary School, where she received a strong foundation in literature and writing.

Chimamanda moved to the United States to attend Drexel University in Philadelphia, where she initially studied medicine before switching to communications and political science.

Chimamanda transferred to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, to complete her undergraduate degree in communications and political science.

Chimamanda's debut novel, 'Purple Hibiscus,' was published to critical acclaim, earning her the 2005 Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book.

Chimamanda was awarded the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as the 'Genius Grant,' for her significant contributions to literature and storytelling.

Chimamanda's second novel, 'Half of a Yellow Sun,' was published and won the Orange Prize for Fiction. It was later adapted into a film in 2013.

Chimamanda delivered a powerful TED Talk titled 'We Should All Be Feminists,' which later became a book and has been widely influential in discussions about gender equality.

Chimamanda's third novel, 'Americanah,' was published and received widespread critical acclaim. It won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction in 2014.

Chimamanda was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama for her contributions to literature and cultural understanding.

Chimamanda published 'Notes on Grief,' a personal and profound reflection on the loss of her father and the nature of grief.