Wissenswertes

Sentenced to death in 1989 for his book "The Satanic Verses" by the Ayatollah Khomeini, who proclaimed the book to be an insult to the Islamic religion. He has lived under police protection ever since. Since the Ayatollah's death, he has become a slightly more public person.

Helped pick the phrase "naughty but nice" as an advertising slogan to sell cakes in 1970s Britain.

He was awarded a Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 2007 Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday Honors List for his services to Literature.

His book "Haroun and the Sea of Stories" was written for his son Zafar while he was in hiding, and they could not meet.

According to the memoir "Joseph Anton", Keith Vaz MP promised Rushdie support over the phone, and then supported a protest against him.

He is the father with Clarissa of Zafar Rushdie, born 1980, and with Elizabeth of Milan Rushdie, born 1999.

Is a dual citizen of the U.K. and U.S.

He is a big fan of video games.

Enjoys comic books and rock music.

He was awarded the Member of the Order of the Companion of Honour in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Platinum Honours List for his services to literature. He is an author.

On August 12, 2022, he was stabbed in the neck and torso on stage at a lecture by a 24-year-old man. As a result of his injuries, he lost the use of one hand and the sight in one eye. No reason was given by his assailant Hadi Matar except that Rushdie had "attacked Islam".

Biography/bibliography in: "Contemporary Authors". New Revision Series, Vol. 133, pp. 379-388. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2005.

Mentioned in Theresa Rebeck's play "Seminar".

Father-in-law of Scottish jazz singer Natalie Coyle.

New York City, New York (Juni 2007)