Childhood and Education Journey of Anne Rice in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Anne Rice. From birth to education, explore key events.

Anne Rice was a celebrated American author known primarily for her gothic fiction, erotic literature, and biblical fiction. She gained widespread recognition for her series, The Vampire Chronicles, which explored themes of immortality, love, and existentialism within a gothic framework. Her novel, Interview with the Vampire, was adapted into a successful film, further solidifying her influence in popular culture. Rice's writing style is characterized by its lush prose, detailed world-building, and exploration of complex characters, making her a significant figure in contemporary horror and fantasy literature.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1908: Birth of Katherine Allen O'Brien

In 1908, Katherine Allen O'Brien, Anne Rice's mother, was born.

1917: Birth of Howard O'Brien

In 1917, Anne Rice's father, Howard O'Brien, was born. He later became a naval veteran and authored a novel.

October 4, 1941: Anne Rice's Birth

On October 4, 1941, Anne Rice, originally named Howard Allen Frances O'Brien, was born. She later became a celebrated American author.

1947: Legal Name Change to Anne

In 1947, Howard Allen Frances O'Brien legally changed her name to Anne after adopting it at school.

1949: Death of Alice Allen

In 1949, Alice Allen, Anne Rice's maternal grandmother, passed away. She had been an important early influence in Rice's life.

1956: Move to St. Charles Avenue

In 1956, Anne Rice's family moved to 2524 St. Charles Avenue to be closer to the church and support for her mother's addiction.

November 1957: Father's Marriage

In November 1957, Anne Rice's father married Dorothy Van Bever.

1958: Family Move to Richardson, Texas

In 1958, Anne Rice's family moved to Richardson, Texas, where she met her future husband, Stan Rice.

1959: Graduation from Richardson High

In 1959, Anne Rice graduated from Richardson High School and began her higher education.

October 14, 1961: Marriage to Stan Rice

On October 14, 1961, Anne Rice married Stan Rice in Denton, Texas, shortly after her twentieth birthday.

1961: Marriage to Stan Rice

In 1961, Anne Rice married poet and painter Stan Rice, marking the beginning of a 41-year marriage.

1962: Return to San Francisco

In 1962, Anne and Stan Rice moved back to San Francisco, where they experienced the hippie movement firsthand.

1964: Graduation from San Francisco State University

In 1964, Anne Rice graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in political science.

September 21, 1966: Birth of Daughter Michele

On September 21, 1966, Anne and Stan Rice's daughter, Michele, was born.

1966: Birth of daughter Michele Rice

In 1966, Anne Rice's daughter, Michele Rice, was born.

1970: Return to San Francisco State & Michele's Diagnosis

In 1970, Anne Rice returned to San Francisco State and her daughter Michele was diagnosed with acute granulocytic leukemia.

1972: Graduation with M.A. & Michele's Death

In 1972, Anne Rice graduated with an M.A. and her daughter Michele passed away shortly before turning six.

1972: Death of daughter Michele Rice

In 1972, Anne Rice's daughter, Michele Rice, died.

August 1974: Attending Squaw Valley Writer's Conference

In August 1974, Anne Rice attended the Squaw Valley Writer's Conference and met her future literary agent, Phyllis Seidel.

1977: Travels to Europe and Egypt

In 1977, Anne and Stan Rice traveled to both Europe and Egypt.

1978: Birth of Son Christopher

In 1978, Anne Rice's son Christopher was born in Berkeley, California.

1979: Sobriety

In mid-1979, Anne and Stan Rice quit drinking so their son would not have the life she had as a child.

June 1988: Return to New Orleans

In June 1988, Anne Rice returned to New Orleans and began writing The Witching Hour.

June 1988: Purchase of Brevard-Rice House

In June 1988, the Rices purchased a second home in New Orleans, the Brevard–Rice House, and decided to make it their permanent home.

1988: Stan Rice Retires

In 1988, Stan Rice retired from his position as chair of the creative writing department at San Francisco State.

December 14, 1998: Coma Caused by Diabetic Ketoacidosis

On December 14, 1998, Anne Rice fell into a coma caused by diabetic ketoacidosis and nearly died.

1998: Diabetic Coma and Return to Catholic Church

In 1998, Anne Rice experienced a sudden diabetic coma and returned to the Roman Catholic Church, which she had left at 18.

2000: Appearance on The Real World: New Orleans

In 2000, Anne Rice appeared on an episode of The Real World: New Orleans.

2002: Death of Stan Rice

In 2002, Anne Rice's husband, Stan Rice, passed away from brain cancer at the age of 60 after 41 years of marriage.

2003: Gastric Bypass Surgery and Weight Loss

In 2003, Anne Rice underwent gastric bypass surgery and shed 103 pounds.

January 18, 2004: Announcement of Leaving New Orleans

On January 18, 2004, Anne Rice announced on her website that she had made plans to leave New Orleans, citing living alone since her husband's death and her son moving to California as reasons.

January 30, 2004: Sale of New Orleans Home

On January 30, 2004, Anne Rice put her largest home in New Orleans up for sale and moved to a gated community in Kenner, Louisiana, aiming to simplify her life.

2004: Intestinal Blockage

In 2004, Anne Rice nearly died from an intestinal blockage, a common complication of gastric bypass surgery.

April 2005: Sale of New York City Condominiums

In April 2005, Anne Rice sold two New York City condominiums as part of her downsizing efforts.

October 2005: Announcement of Writing to Glorify God

In October 2005, while promoting her book Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, Anne Rice announced in Newsweek that she would use her writing talent to glorify her belief in God, without renouncing her earlier works.

November 2005: Settling in La Jolla, California

In November 2005, Anne Rice settled in La Jolla, California, describing the weather as "like heaven".

2005: Newsweek Report on Health and Return to Church

In 2005, Newsweek reported on Anne Rice's near-death experience due to surgery for an intestinal blockage the previous year, and also mentioned her diabetic coma in 1998 and her return to the Roman Catholic Church that same year.

January 2006: Leaving La Jolla

In January 2006, Anne Rice left La Jolla, California, less than a year after moving there, stating that the weather was too cold.

2006: Move to Rancho Mirage, California

In 2006, Anne Rice moved to Rancho Mirage, California.

2008: Celebration of Sobriety

In 2008, Anne Rice posted a YouTube video to celebrate 28 years of her sobriety.

July 18, 2010: Auction of Antique Doll Collection

On July 18, 2010, Anne Rice auctioned off her large collection of antique dolls at Thierault's in Chicago.

July 28, 2010: Disdain for Christianity Announced

On July 28, 2010, Anne Rice publicly announced her disdain for the current state of Christianity on her Facebook page.

2010: "I Am Second" Project Participation

In 2010, Anne Rice participated in the "I Am Second" project, which involved creating a short documentary about her spiritual journey.

2011: Auction of Wardrobe and Collectibles

In early 2011, Anne Rice concluded the auction of her wardrobe, jewelry, household possessions, and collectibles featured in her many books on eBay, which had started in mid-2010.

April 14, 2013: Declaration as Secular Humanist

On April 14, 2013, Anne Rice stated in a Facebook post that she was a secular humanist.

July 28, 2014: Christ Still Central, But Not Through Organized Religion

On July 28, 2014, Anne Rice stated in a Facebook post that Christ was still central to her life, but not in the way he is presented by organized religion.

December 11, 2021: Anne Rice's Death

On December 11, 2021, Anne Rice, the renowned author of gothic fiction, erotic literature, and Bible fiction, passed away.