Celebrating Jacqueline Susann’s birthday on Sunday

CAIRO - 20 August 2017: Sunday, August 20 marks the 99th birthday of the late author of the New York Times’ bestseller novel, and the Guinness Book of World Records most popular novel, ‘Valley of the Dolls.’

Susann, born on August 20, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA is a playwright, actress, and singer.

Her first book, ‘Every Night, Josephine!’ was published in 1962; followed by ‘Valley of the Dolls.’

She became famous after publishing ‘Valley of the Dolls’ that went into the Guinness Book of World Records as the planet’s most popular novel.

‘Valley of the Dolls’ is a novel about the friendship between three women; Anne Welles, Neely O'Hara, and Jennifer North, and the problems faced by them that made them turn to drugs.

In 1967, the novel was adapted for a movie starring Patty Duke, Sharon Tate and Barbara Parkins. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for its score.

Susann also wrote ‘The Love Machine’ and ‘Once Is Not Enough’ that were admired by many, making her the first novelist with three consecutive books to reach the top of The New York Times bestseller list. Both novels were adapted for movies in 1971 and 1975, respectively.

She moved to New York City to pursue acting.
She died of breast cancer on September 21, 1974, at the age of 56.