Mona Simpson

Novelist, English professor, and biological sister of Steve Jobs

What is Mona Simpson known for?

Mona Simpson, alumna of Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, California, is an American novelist and English professor, known for her influential work in the field of literature. Born as Mona Jandali on June 14, 1957, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Simpson has made a significant impact with her literary pursuits.

Her journey into the realm of literature began as a student at the University of California, Berkeley, and later at Columbia University, where she studied English, languages, and literature. Simpson's first novel, Anywhere but Here (1986), garnered her recognition and won her a prestigious Whiting Award. This novel was a commercial success and was even adapted into a film of the same name in 1999. Simpson continued on her literary path, writing a sequel to her debut novel, titled The Lost Father (1992). Her novel Off Keck Road (2000) made the shortlist for the PEN/Faulkner Award and won the Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize, testifying to the critical acclaim her work received.

Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of Simpson's life is her familial ties with late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who was her biological brother. They didn't meet until Simpson was 25, after Jobs had reached out to their mother, Joanne Carole Schieble. Simpson and Jobs embarked on a journey together to find their father, a story Simpson later immortalized in her 1992 novel, The Lost Father.

In addition to her novel-writing career, Simpson has also dedicated a part of her life to teaching. Starting in 2001, she taught creative writing at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She also holds an appointment at Bard College in New York state.

Simpson's novels are often drawn from her personal experiences, serving as a testament to her life's journey. From her humble beginnings in Green Bay to her success as an acclaimed novelist and professor, her story intrigues and inspires many, notably the students from her alma mater, Beverly Hills High School.