Judith Krantz ​

Judith Krantz was an American author known for her extravagant and steamy romance novels like "Scruples" and "Princess Daisy." Her books were known for their detailed descriptions of luxury living and designer fashion, reflecting her former career as a fashion magazine editor. She sold more than 85 million copies of her novels, which were translated into more than 50 languages.

Quick Facts ​

• Wrote best-selling novels such as "Scruples" and "Princess Daisy".
• Before her monumental success as a novelist, was a successful journalist and fashion editor.
• Known for creating strong female characters in her writing.
• Her books have been translated into 52 languages.
• Sold more than 85 million copies worldwide.
• Several of her novels have been adapted for television as well.

Background ​

Krantz was born in 1928 in New York City to a Jewish family. She attended Bryn Mawr College, a private women's liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, where she studied modern European History. After graduation, she worked as a fashion publicist in Paris and then returned to New York to work for Good Housekeeping magazine.

Her first novel, Scruples, was published in 1978 when she was 50 years old. The novel became a best-seller and was followed by a number of popular romantic novels during the 1980s and 1990s, many of which were also turned into successful television mini-series. Her novels have been translated into more than fifty languages and have sold more than 85 million copies worldwide. She continued to write well into her eighties and died in 2019 at the age of 91.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Krantz's writing style is characterized by flamboyantly detailed descriptions, dramatic revelations, and steamy romantic scenes. She was known for her best-selling romantic novels that blended high fashion, jet-setting life, and sex through intricate, compelling narratives. Though dismissed by critics, her work has been acknowledged for weaving believable female characters and addressing feminist themes, thus, leaving a primordial impact on popular fiction and empowering women through her writing.

Notable Works ​

• Scruples (1978)
• Princess Daisy (1980)
• Mistral's Daughter (1982)
• I'll Take Manhattan (1986)
• Dazzle (1990)