Bestselling Author Freida McFadden Unveils Her True Identity
The bestselling thriller writer known as Freida McFadden has publicly revealed her real identity, putting an end to years of intense speculation about the author behind a string of phenomenally popular novels. McFadden, whose works include the blockbuster hit The Housemaid, has confirmed that her true name is Sara Cohen.
Ending the Secrecy
In an exclusive interview with USA Today, McFadden, now identified as Sara Cohen, expressed her weariness with maintaining the secret. "I'm at a point in my career when I'm tired of this being a secret. I'm tired of people debating if I'm a real person or if I'm three men," she stated emphatically. "I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don't have anything to hide."
While her public appearances in a wig and glasses might have seemed like a deliberate disguise, Cohen clarified that she genuinely requires glasses for vision. The wig, she explained, is simply because she has "no idea how to style my hair," adding a touch of personal authenticity to her revelation.
A Dual Life as Doctor and Author
Sara Cohen, aged 45, is not only a prolific author but also a practicing physician specializing in the treatment of brain disorders. She initially chose to write under the pseudonym Freida McFadden for practical reasons, aiming to keep her literary career completely separate from her demanding hospital job.
"My whole goal was to keep it a secret until I was [ready to] step back from my doctor job, so it wouldn't be like everyone I work with suddenly knew and it compromised my ability to do my job," Cohen elaborated. Over time, her colleagues eventually discovered her double life but were "really nice about it" and respected her privacy by keeping the secret.
Cohen resides in Boston, Massachusetts, with her husband and their two children. She has recently scaled back her medical commitments to occasional shifts, citing the unsustainable nature of juggling two high-pressure careers simultaneously.
From Self-Publishing to Global Success
The author began her publishing journey in 2013 with the self-released novel The Devil Wears Scrubs. Her breakthrough came in 2022 with The Housemaid, which catapulted her to major commercial success. To date, Cohen has written an impressive 27 novels, selling tens of millions of copies across various formats worldwide.
Last year, The Housemaid was adapted into a highly successful film starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, grossing nearly $400 million globally. A sequel, The Housemaid's Secret, based on McFadden's novel of the same name, is currently in development, with Sweeney set to return alongside Kirsten Dunst.
Continuing Under the Pen Name
Despite lifting the veil on her true identity, Cohen has confirmed that she will continue to publish under her established pen name, Freida McFadden. "Even though I haven't told my real name until now, I feel like I have shared the real me all along and everything I've told [readers] has been the truth," she affirmed. "Even though the name will be a surprise, nothing else will. I've always been genuine with my readers."
This revelation marks a significant moment in contemporary publishing, highlighting the personal and professional complexities faced by authors who navigate dual careers under pseudonyms.
