Michael Lewis is a well-known American author and financial journalist who has made a name for himself through his nonfiction work on financial crises and behavioural finance. Born on October 15, 1960, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Lewis has had a successful career as a writer and has authored several books that have gained widespread recognition.
Lewis received his bachelor’s degree in art history from Princeton University and later moved to New York to pursue a career in finance. However, he failed to land a job in the field and instead turned to writing. His first book, “Liar’s Poker,” was published in 1989 and became a bestseller. Since then, Lewis has written several other books, including “Moneyball,” “The Big Short,” and “Flash Boys,” which have all been critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
As of 2023, Michael Lewis is 62 years old and has a net worth of $25 million. He is also a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and continues to write about business, finance, and economics. This article will delve into Lewis’s life, career, and net worth, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of this accomplished author and journalist.
Early Life and Education
Michael Lewis was born on October 15th, 1960, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. His full name is Michael Monroe Lewis. He grew up in New Orleans and attended Isidore Newman School as a straight-A student and a star baseball player.
After graduating from high school, Lewis went on to attend Princeton University, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Art History in 1982. While at Princeton, he was a member of the Ivy Club and wrote for the Daily Princetonian.
After graduating from Princeton, Lewis moved to New York City to pursue a career in finance. However, he was unsuccessful in finding a job in that field. Instead, he took a job as a bond salesman at Salomon Brothers, a Wall Street investment bank.
Lewis’s experiences at Salomon Brothers would later serve as the basis for his first book, “Liar’s Poker,” which was published in 1989. The book was a bestseller and established Lewis as a prominent financial journalist and author.
Career
Michael Lewis is a renowned author and financial journalist who has made significant contributions to the field of business, finance, and economics. He began his career in the mid-1980s as a bond salesman for Salomon Brothers, where he worked for several years before leaving to become a financial journalist.
Lewis’s first book, “Liar’s Poker,” was published in 1989 and became an instant bestseller. The book was a memoir of his experiences as a bond salesman and provided an insider’s look at the culture of Wall Street during the 1980s.
Since then, Lewis has written several other books, including “The Big Short,” “Moneyball,” and “Flash Boys.” These books have earned him critical acclaim and have helped to shape the public’s understanding of complex financial concepts and events.
In addition to his author work, Lewis has been a contributing editor to Vanity Fair since 2009. He has written numerous articles for the magazine on topics ranging from the financial crisis to the rise of high-frequency trading.
Overall, Michael Lewis’s career has been marked by his ability to bring complex financial concepts to a broader audience through his writing. His work has had a significant impact on the field of finance and has helped shape public opinion on various important issues.
Notable Works
Michael Lewis is a prolific author and journalist with a long list of notable works. Here are some of his most well-known books:
Liar’s Poker
Published in 1989, Liar’s Poker is Michael Lewis’s debut book, which is a memoir of his experiences working as a bond salesman in the late 1980s. The book is a fascinating look at the world of finance and the excesses of Wall Street during that time. It became a bestseller and helped establish Lewis as a prominent financial journalist.
Moneyball
Moneyball, published in 2003, is a non-fiction book exploring baseball statistics and the Oakland Athletics’ innovative approach to building a winning team on a tight budget. The book popularized the concept of “Moneyball,” which refers to the use of statistical analysis to identify undervalued players. The book was a commercial and critical success and was later adapted into a movie starring Brad Pitt.
The Big Short
The Big Short, published in 2010, is a non-fiction book that chronicles the events leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. The book focuses on a small group of investors who saw the impending collapse of the housing market and bet against it, making huge profits in the process. The book was a bestseller and was later adapted into a movie starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, and Ryan Gosling.
Flash Boys
Flash Boys, published in 2014, is a non-fiction book exploring the world of high-frequency trading and its impact on the stock market. The book focuses on a group of Wall Street insiders who discover that the market is rigged in favour of high-frequency traders and set out to level the playing field. The book sparked a national conversation about the fairness of the stock market and led to increased scrutiny of high-frequency trading.
The Fifth Risk
Published in 2018, The Fifth Risk is a non-fiction book that examines the inner workings of the US government and the potential consequences of neglecting the mundane but essential tasks of government. The book highlights the importance of competent and dedicated public servants and the risks of ignoring their expertise. The book received critical acclaim and was a finalist for the 2018 Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year Awards.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Michael Lewis has received numerous awards and recognition for his work as an author and financial journalist. Some of the most notable awards and recognitions he has received include:
- In 1989, Lewis was named one of the “Forty Under Forty” most influential people in business by Fortune magazine.
- In 1991, he received the Gerald Loeb Award for his coverage of the bond market in The New York Times Magazine.
- In 1998, Lewis received the National Magazine Award for his article “The New New Thing” in The New York Times Magazine.
- In 2003, he was awarded the inaugural Quill Award for General Nonfiction for his book “Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game.”
- In 2009, Lewis was awarded the Sidney Hillman Prize for his Vanity Fair article “Wall Street on the Tundra.”
- In 2010, he received the Gerald Loeb Award for his Vanity Fair article “The End.”
- In 2013, Lewis was awarded the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award for his book “Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt.”
- In 2017, he received the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award for his book “The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds.”
Lewis’ work has also been featured on various bestseller lists, including The New York Times Best Seller list and The Wall Street Journal Best Seller list. His books have been translated into multiple languages and have been adapted into films, including “Moneyball” and “The Big Short.”
Personal Life
Michael Lewis was born on October 15, 1960, in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He is the son of J. Thomas Lewis and Diana Monroe Lewis. He has two daughters named Quinn Tallulah Lewis and Dixie Lewis and a son named Walker Jack Lewis.
Lewis is known to keep his personal life private and away from the public eye. However, it is known that he married his wife, Tabitha Soren, in 1997. Soren is a former MTV News reporter and photographer. The couple has three children together.
Lewis enjoys playing basketball and coaching his children’s basketball teams in his free time. He is also an avid reader and enjoys spending time with his family.
Lewis is known for his philanthropic work and has donated to several charitable organizations, including the Robin Hood Foundation, which fights poverty in New York City, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco.
Michael Lewis leads a relatively low-key personal life, focusing on his family and giving back to his community through charitable work.
Net Worth
Michael Lewis is a successful writer, journalist, and editor who has accumulated a considerable net worth throughout his career. As of mid-2016, authoritative sources estimated that his net worth was over $15 million. However, his net worth has likely increased since then due to his continued success.
Lewis’s success as a writer has been a significant contributor to his net worth. He has written numerous books on finance, economics, and politics, many of which have become bestsellers. Some of his most successful books include “Liar’s Poker,” “The Big Short,” and “Moneyball.” His books have been adapted into successful movies, further adding to his wealth.
In addition to his writing career, Lewis has worked as a journalist, columnist, and editor. He has contributed to various publications, including Vanity Fair and The New York Times. His expertise in finance and economics has made him a sought-after commentator on these topics, further increasing his net worth.
Overall, Michael Lewis has achieved great success in his career as a writer, journalist, and editor, which has contributed significantly to his net worth.
Public Image
Michael Lewis is widely recognized as a prominent financial journalist and author with a reputation for insightful and engaging writing. He has been described as a “master storyteller” and a “preeminent chronicler of the financial world” by various publications and critics.
Lewis’s work has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, with several of his books becoming bestsellers. His 2003 book “Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game” was adapted into a successful film, further cementing his status as a famous writer.
Despite his success, Lewis has faced some criticism over the years. Some have accused him of oversimplifying complex financial concepts and relying too heavily on anecdotes. Others have taken issue with his portrayal of certain individuals and institutions in his writing.
Overall, however, Lewis remains a respected figure in the world of finance and journalism. His work continues to be widely read and discussed, and he is considered a leading voice on issues related to the financial industry and the broader economy.
Charitable Works
Michael Lewis has been involved in various charitable works throughout his career. He has used his success as a writer to support causes that are important to him. Here are some of the charitable works that Michael Lewis has been involved in:
- Donation to Berkeley City College: In 2019, Michael Lewis donated $50,000 to Berkeley City College to establish a scholarship fund for low-income students. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to students who are pursuing a degree in business or finance.
- Donation to The Innocence Project: Michael Lewis has been a long-time supporter of The Innocence Project, a non-profit organization that works to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing. In 2018, he donated $50,000 to the organization to support their efforts.
- Donation to The Opportunity Network: In 2016, Michael Lewis donated $50,000 to The Opportunity Network, a non-profit organization that helps low-income students achieve their academic and career goals. The organization provides mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional development to students from underprivileged backgrounds.
- Donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation: Michael Lewis has also supported The Michael J. Fox Foundation, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease. In 2014, he donated $50,000 to the organization to support their research efforts.
Overall, Michael Lewis has shown a commitment to giving back to his community and supporting causes that are important to him. His charitable works have made a positive impact on the lives of many individuals and organizations.
Bibliography
Michael Lewis is a prolific author with a diverse range of works. He is known for his nonfiction work, particularly his coverage of financial crises and behavioral finance. Here is a list of some of his most notable publications:
- Liar’s Poker (1989) – A memoir of Lewis’s experiences as a bond salesman on Wall Street in the 1980s.
- The New New Thing (1999) – A biography of entrepreneur Jim Clark, who founded several successful companies including Netscape and Healtheon.
- Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game (2003) – A book about the Oakland Athletics baseball team and their innovative use of statistics to build a winning team on a limited budget. The book was later adapted into a successful movie starring Brad Pitt.
- The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game (2006) – A book about football player Michael Oher and his journey from homelessness to the NFL. The book was also adapted into a successful movie starring Sandra Bullock.
- The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine (2010) – A book about the 2008 financial crisis and the people who saw it coming and profited from it.
- Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt (2014) – A book about high-frequency trading and the people who are trying to reform Wall Street.
- The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds (2016) – A book about psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky and their groundbreaking research into decision-making and human behavior.
Lewis’s books have been widely praised for their engaging storytelling and insightful analysis of complex subjects. He is a master of combining in-depth research with compelling narratives to create books that are both informative and entertaining.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Michael Lewis’ background and early life?
Michael Lewis was born on October 15, 1960, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in New Orleans and attended Isidore Newman School. He went on to study at Princeton University, where he earned a degree in art history in 1982.
What are Michael Lewis’ notable achievements?
Michael Lewis is a prolific author and journalist who has written several best-selling books. His most famous work is “The Big Short,” which chronicles the events leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. He has also written “Moneyball,” which explores the use of data analytics in baseball. Lewis has received numerous awards for his writing, including the National Book Award and the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award.
What is Michael Lewis’ most recent book and what is it about?
Michael Lewis’ most recent book is “The Premonition: A Pandemic Story,” which was published in May 2021. The book is about the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and the efforts of a group of public health officials and scientists to sound the alarm about the virus and prevent its spread.
How has Michael Lewis’ career developed over time?
Michael Lewis began his career as a bond salesman at Salomon Brothers, where he worked from 1984 to 1988. He later wrote about his experiences at the firm in his book “Liar’s Poker.” After leaving Salomon Brothers, Lewis became a freelance journalist and began writing for various publications, including The New York Times Magazine and Vanity Fair. He has since written several best-selling books and is considered one of the most influential writers on business and finance.
What is Michael Lewis’ estimated net worth?
As of September 2023, Michael Lewis’ estimated net worth is $25 million.
What are some interesting facts about Michael Lewis’ life and career?
- Michael Lewis is married to former MTV correspondent Tabitha Soren.
- Lewis has written several screenplays, including the adaptation of his book “Moneyball” into a film starring Brad Pitt.
- Lewis is a frequent commentator on business and finance on television and radio programs.
- Lewis is a member of the Authors Guild and PEN America.
