Salman Rushdie Net Worth: How Much is the Controversial Author of 'The Satanic Verses' Worth?
(Photo : Hannelore Foerster/Getty Images)
Controversial Indian-born British-American novelist Salman Rushdie is fighting for his life following an attack from a reported Iranian sympathizer on Friday. He was doing a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York when he was rushed and attacked on stage.
He is currently in critical condition, but his condition is improving, according to Sportskeeda. However, he has lost his vision and is not able to talk following multiple stab wounds.
Who is Salman Rushdie, though? Why does the Iranian government want him dead? What were his works about, and how much is he worth? Let's look at the answers to those questions.
Who Is Salman Rushdie: From Being Muslim-Born to Hardline Atheist to Being Wanted in Iran
Even though he is known as a vocal critic of Islam, Salman Rushdie was born in Mumbai, India to Muslim parents. He moved to the United Kingdom before becoming a U.S. citizen. His current residence is in New York City. He now calls himself a "hardline atheist," becoming a critic of not just Islam but all religions. He is also one of the biggest critics of his Native India's Hindu-nationalist government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He became known after his second novel, Midnight's Children, won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1981. However, he would reach new heights and even infamy with his 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses.
The Satanic Verses is a controversial take on the story of how the Archangel Gabriel talked to the Prophet Mohammed, which was likened to Satan in the book. This caused a lot of controversy in the Islamic world, creating a backlash that caused riots around the world.
According to a report by ABC News (Australia), the book was so controversial because it implied that the words of the Prophet Mohammed were his own and did not come from God.
The book is now banned in many Muslim countries, especially in Iran. The book was so despised that the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa, or religious edict against the author. He called on all Muslims to kill Rushdie and anyone involved in the publication.
After the publication, Salman Rushdie was forced into hiding for over a decade. However, he stuck to his guns, saying in 2014 that it would be cowardly to withdraw "The Satanic Verses."
In 1998, following the death of the Ayatollah, Rushdie surfaced again after the Iranian government said it would no longer back the fatwa against the novelist.
Salman Rushdie: Net Worth
According to the Sports Grail, Rushdie authored 13 novels, as well as published several non-fiction books and short stories. His novels have been translated into over 40 different languages and sold in many countries around the world, except for several Muslim countries.
The author is now worth around $15 million, with the majority of his fortune coming from the sale of his works. Most of these novel sales came from "The Satanic Verses," which skyrocketed in sales following the massive religious backlash that came with its release.
Rushdie earned around $2 million within the first year of the book's release alone. However, he enjoyed the money while still in hiding.
Sportskeeda pointed out that he bought a mansion at The Bishop's Avenue, Hampstead, which is worth millions of dollars, now that he is not in hiding anymore.
His net worth may also receive a boost, as sales of his works also skyrocketed following the attack.
READ MORE: Nicaragua Newspaper Staff Flee Country as Daniel Ortega Cracks Down on Independent Media
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Salman Rushdie fatwa: 30 years on - BBC NewsnightControversial Indian-born British-American novelist Salman Rushdie is fighting for his life following an attack from a reported Iranian sympathizer on Friday. He was doing a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York when he was rushed and attacked on stage.
He is currently in critical condition, but his condition is improving, according to Sportskeeda. However, he has lost his vision and is not able to talk following multiple stab wounds.
Who is Salman Rushdie, though? Why does the Iranian government want him dead? What were his works about, and how much is he worth? Let's look at the answers to those questions.
Who Is Salman Rushdie: From Being Muslim-Born to Hardline Atheist to Being Wanted in Iran
Even though he is known as a vocal critic of Islam, Salman Rushdie was born in Mumbai, India to Muslim parents. He moved to the United Kingdom before becoming a U.S. citizen. His current residence is in New York City. He now calls himself a "hardline atheist," becoming a critic of not just Islam but all religions. He is also one of the biggest critics of his Native India's Hindu-nationalist government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He became known after his second novel, Midnight's Children, won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1981. However, he would reach new heights and even infamy with his 1988 novel, The Satanic Verses.
The Satanic Verses is a controversial take on the story of how the Archangel Gabriel talked to the Prophet Mohammed, which was likened to Satan in the book. This caused a lot of controversy in the Islamic world, creating a backlash that caused riots around the world.
According to a report by ABC News (Australia), the book was so controversial because it implied that the words of the Prophet Mohammed were his own and did not come from God.
The book is now banned in many Muslim countries, especially in Iran. The book was so despised that the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa, or religious edict against the author. He called on all Muslims to kill Rushdie and anyone involved in the publication.
After the publication, Salman Rushdie was forced into hiding for over a decade. However, he stuck to his guns, saying in 2014 that it would be cowardly to withdraw "The Satanic Verses."
In 1998, following the death of the Ayatollah, Rushdie surfaced again after the Iranian government said it would no longer back the fatwa against the novelist.
Salman Rushdie: Net Worth
According to the Sports Grail, Rushdie authored 13 novels, as well as published several non-fiction books and short stories. His novels have been translated into over 40 different languages and sold in many countries around the world, except for several Muslim countries.
The author is now worth around $15 million, with the majority of his fortune coming from the sale of his works. Most of these novel sales came from "The Satanic Verses," which skyrocketed in sales following the massive religious backlash that came with its release.
Rushdie earned around $2 million within the first year of the book's release alone. However, he enjoyed the money while still in hiding.
Sportskeeda pointed out that he bought a mansion at The Bishop's Avenue, Hampstead, which is worth millions of dollars, now that he is not in hiding anymore.
His net worth may also receive a boost, as sales of his works also skyrocketed following the attack.
READ MORE: Nicaragua Newspaper Staff Flee Country as Daniel Ortega Cracks Down on Independent Media
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: Salman Rushdie fatwa: 30 years on - BBC Newsnight