Zadie Smith Net Worth: Bio, Age, Husband, Author, Books
Who is Zadie Smith?
Zadie Smith is a British writer known for her novels and essays about identity, race, and society. She studied English literature at Cambridge University and became famous with her first book, White Teeth (2000), which won several awards.
Smith writes with humor and deep insight into modern life. Some of her other well-known books include On Beauty, NW, Swing Time, and The Fraud. She also writes essays for The New Yorker and teaches fiction at New York University. Today, she is considered one of the most important writers of our time.
Biography

Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Zadie Adeline Smith |
Born | October 25, 1975 |
Age | 49 years old (2025) |
Birthplace | Willesden, London, England |
Nationality | British |
Profession | Novelist, Essayist, Professor |
Height | 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
Notable Works | White Teeth, On Beauty, Swing Time |
Awards | Orange Prize, Whitbread Award, James Tait Black Prize |
Spouse | Nick Laird |
Children | Kit Laird, Harvey Laird |
Net Worth | $24 million (2025) |
Income Sources | Books, NYU teaching, essays, film/TV rights |
Wikipedia | Click Here |
Early Life and Education
Zadie Smith was born on October 25, 1975, in London. She grew up in a mixed race family. Her mother is Jamaican, and her father is English. She studied English literature at Cambridge University, where she started writing her first novel, White Teeth.
Net Worth and Income
Although there’s no official record, Smith’s estimated net worth is around $24 million. She received a £250,000 advance for White Teeth, which helped her buy a home in Willesden, London. She has also lived in Rome and New York.
Her income comes from different sources that are given below:
- Book Sales & Advances: Her novels sell well, and she earns advances for new books.
- Teaching: She is a fiction professor at New York University (NYU) and also gives guest lectures.
- Writing & Journalism: She writes for major publications like The New Yorker and The Guardian.
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Personal Life

Zadie Smith married Northern Irish writer Nick Laird in 2004. They met at Cambridge University and have two children, Kit and Harvey. Laird is a poet, novelist, and teacher at Columbia University. The couple balances their writing careers while raising their children, living between New York and London.
Breakthrough with White Teeth
In 2000, Smith published White Teeth, which became a huge success. The book, set in London, explores immigration, multiculturalism, and family. It won awards like the Whitbread First Novel Award and made her a well-known author.
“White Teeth” Summary
“White Teeth” by Zadie Smith is a novel about identity and cultural differences in modern Britain. It centers on two friends, Archie Jones, an Englishman, and Samad Iqbal, a Bengali Muslim, who meet during World War II. After the war, they settle in London with their families. Archie marries Clara, a Jamaican woman, while Samad weds Alsana, a traditional Bengali woman.
Samad sends Magid to Bangladesh for a strict upbringing, but he returns more Westernized. Millat stays in London and gets involved with a radical group. Irie searches for her own identity. The story explores themes of fate, generational conflict, and multiculturalism, while also addressing class and racial tensions through the Chalfen family. The characters’ lives intersect during a genetic experiment, testing their beliefs and choices. Overall, the novel uses humor and social commentary to depict the challenges faced by immigrants and their families in contemporary Britain.
Other Famous Books
After White Teeth, Smith wrote several other well-received books:
- The Autograph Man (2002): A novel about celebrity culture and identity.
- On Beauty (2005): A story about cultural differences in academia, shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
- NW (2012): An experimental novel set in northwest London, focusing on social mobility.
- Swing Time (2016): A novel about friendship, race, and ambition.
- The Fraud (2023): A historical novel based on real events, exploring themes of truth and justice.
Essays and Influence
Besides fiction, Smith writes essays on literature, politics, and culture. Her collections, Changing My Mind (2009) and Feel Free (2018), showcase her deep insights. She also contributes to The New Yorker and The New York Review of Books.
FAQ’s
Who is Zadie Smith?
Zadie Smith is a British novelist, essayist, and professor known for her bestselling books like White Teeth and On Beauty.
What is Zadie Smith’s net worth?
As of 2025, Zadie Smith’s estimated net worth is around $24 million, mainly from book sales, teaching, and writing essays.
What are Zadie Smith’s most famous books?
Her most famous books include White Teeth (2000), On Beauty (2005), NW (2012), and Swing Time (2016).
Where does Zadie Smith teach?
She is a professor of fiction at New York University (NYU) and has given guest lectures at various institutions.
What awards has Zadie Smith won?
She has won the Orange Prize, Whitbread First Novel Award, and James Tait Black Memorial Prize, among others.
Does Zadie Smith write essays?
Yes, she has published essay collections like Changing My Mind and Feel Free, covering literature, culture, and politics.