Freida McFadden is not your average bestselling author. A practicing physician specializing in brain injury by day and a psychological thriller novelist by night, she’s carved out a remarkable dual career that blends medicine with mystery. Her breakout novel The Housemaid catapulted her into the spotlight, but her story begins long before that success. From her academic roots at Harvard to her stealthy self-publishing rise, McFadden’s biography is a compelling blend of intellect, discipline, and intrigue—much like the characters she writes.
How Old Is Freida McFadden? (Age in 2025)
Freida McFadden was born on May 1, 1980, which makes her 45 years old as of 2025. Despite her public success, McFadden prefers to keep a low profile. She writes under a pen name to maintain a clear boundary between her medical career and literary fame. According to multiple sources, including Wikipedia, her real name has not been made public.
Freida McFadden’s Family and Personal Life
Freida grew up in New York City in a family of medical professionals—her father was a psychiatrist, and her mother a podiatrist. This early exposure to the healthcare world undoubtedly influenced her eventual path in medicine.
As of 2025, Freida McFadden lives in the Boston area with her husband (an engineer), their two children (now aged 13 and 17), and a cat named Ivy. Despite her growing literary fame, she still values privacy and rarely shares photos of her family or home life. She has mentioned in interviews that she prefers to keep her writing identity private—many of her neighbors don’t even know she’s a bestselling author (The Times).
Education and Medical Career
McFadden’s academic path is as impressive as her writing career. She earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics from Harvard University, then attended medical school in Boston. Today, she works as a physician specializing in brain injury (brain trauma rehabilitation), managing cases that require both empathy and deep scientific knowledge.
Despite the demands of her profession, McFadden continues to see patients and contributes to academic writing in her field. Her medical experience often informs the authenticity and depth of her fiction—especially her hospital-based thrillers.
Writing Career: From Self-Publishing to Bestseller Lists
A Humble Beginning
Freida McFadden began her writing career in 2013, self-publishing her debut book The Devil Wears Scrubs on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). That comedic, semi-autobiographical novel about a medical intern paved the way for a unique writing style that blended sharp wit with emotional intelligence.
She initially focused on humorous medical fiction, but soon shifted to psychological thrillers—a genre where she found massive success.
Breakout Success: The Housemaid Series
McFadden gained widespread recognition with the release of The Housemaid in 2022, which became a massive hit on Amazon and beyond. The novel’s gripping pace, layered characters, and dark domestic secrets resonated with readers and critics alike.
Since then, she has continued the series with:
- The Housemaid’s Secret (2023)
- The Housemaid Is Watching (2024)
- The Housemaid Is Gone (upcoming, 2026)
As of mid-2025, the Housemaid series has sold over 3 million copies worldwide, according to Penguin Random House.
Other Notable Works
In addition to the Housemaid series, McFadden has authored multiple stand-alone thrillers and hospital dramas, including:
- The Wife Upstairs (2020)
- One by One (2020)
- Ward D (2023)
- The Coworker (2023)
- The Inmate (2022)
- The Teacher (2024)
- The Crash (January 2025)
- The Tenant (May 2025)
- The Intruder (coming October 2025)
Many of these books have been optioned for adaptation, and The Housemaid has been confirmed for a television development deal by a major streaming platform as of early 2025.
Freida McFadden’s Net Worth in 2025
Estimating Freida McFadden’s net worth can be challenging due to her dual careers and private lifestyle. However, credible publishing sources and media estimates place her net worth between $5 million and $7 million as of 2025.
This estimate is based on:
- Royalties from over 30 books, many of which rank among Amazon’s top psychological thrillers
- Multi-year publishing contracts with major houses like Sourcebooks and Penguin Random House
- Self-publishing earnings through Kindle Unlimited (where she’s frequently a top earner)
- Licensing and potential film/TV adaptations
While McFadden has not confirmed these figures publicly, her consistent appearance on bestseller lists (including New York Times and USA Today) and massive eBook readership point to significant income from writing alone.
Social Media Presence (2025 Update)
Unlike many modern authors, McFadden maintains a modest social media presence:
- Instagram: @authorfreidamcfadden — 219K followers
- Facebook: Freida McFadden – 161K+ likes
- TikTok: Not active under her author name
- Website: freidamcfadden.com
She often uses these platforms to announce new book releases, cover reveals, and giveaways. Her posts reflect her quirky humor and down-to-earth personality, often joking about balancing writing with parenting and hospital work.
Fun Facts About Freida McFadden
- She wrote The Housemaid in just 11 days.
- Her favorite books to read are thrillers and British mysteries.
- She doesn’t outline her books in advance—most are written spontaneously.
- Despite her medical background, she admits to fainting at the sight of her own blood.
- Freida’s cat, Ivy, frequently features in her social media posts.
- Some of her readers still think she’s a fictional persona created by a publisher.
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Freida McFadden (Pen Name) |
| Real Name | Not Public |
| Date of Birth | May 1, 1980 |
| Age (2025) | 45 |
| Nationality | American |
| Residence | Boston area, USA |
| Occupation | Author, Physician |
| Genre | Psychological Thriller, Medical Fiction |
| Education | Harvard University (Mathematics) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Children | Two |
| Estimated Net Worth | $5 – $7 million (2025) |
| Notable Works | The Housemaid, The Inmate, The Teacher |
| Website | freidamcfadden.com |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Freida McFadden a real person?
Yes, Freida McFadden is a real person, though she writes under a pen name. She is both a practicing physician and a bestselling author.
What is Freida McFadden’s best-selling book?
The Housemaid is her most famous and best-selling book to date, followed by The Inmate and The Coworker.
Is Freida McFadden’s identity public?
While she has appeared in media interviews, her real name has not been disclosed. She maintains this privacy to protect her professional medical career.
Where can I read her books?
Her books are available on Amazon, in bookstores, and through Kindle Unlimited.
Final Thoughts
Freida McFadden’s biography is a rare fusion of science and storytelling. As a doctor who heals minds and a writer who probes them, she’s redefining what it means to live a creative life with purpose. Whether you’re drawn to her gripping plots or her incredible discipline, one thing is clear—Freida McFadden is a literary force with no signs of slowing down.
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