The woman behind the gripping psychological thriller, “The Housemaid,” has finally revealed her true identity – a secret she’s guarded for years. Manoli Figetakis/ WireImage captured a recent photo of this remarkable author, shedding light on a life both fascinating and unexpected.
For over a decade, Freida McFadden has captivated readers with her suspenseful novels, most notably “The Housemaid,” a story that exploded onto the scene in 2022 and was recently brought to the big screen with starring performances by Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. This bestseller, described as a “chilling tale of duplicity, jealousy, and greed,” has sold over two million copies and sparked a resurgence of interest in McFadden’s entire body of work.
But beneath the bestselling author persona lay a surprising reality: Freida McFadden is actually Sara Cohen, a practicing physician specializing in brain disorders. In a recent interview with USA Today, Cohen stated, “It’s time” to finally share her true self, expressing a weariness with the ongoing speculation about her identity – “I’m tired of people debating if I’m a real person or if I’m three men.”
Initially, Cohen adopted a pseudonym and employed disguises – a wig and glasses – to maintain privacy during her early writing career, explaining her decision with a simple, “I have no idea how to style my hair.” She confessed to feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of book tours, fearing they would conflict with her demanding medical work, and deliberately kept her identity concealed until she could step back from her hospital job entirely.
Her colleagues, however, were surprisingly accepting, even becoming avid readers of her novels and expressing their delight at discovering their writerly colleague. Cohen admitted, “They were really nice about it,” and that the secret was kept for years to protect her professional life.
Despite her success, Cohen revealed she’d stopped working full-time in 2023, admitting to being “completely overwhelmed” by balancing her writing and medical careers. She still maintains a part-time role at a hospital, a testament to her dedication to both passions. Her academic background is equally impressive: she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in applied mathematics from Harvard in 2001 and completed her medical studies at SUNY Stony Brook and Stanford, followed by a fellowship at the Boston VA Hospital.
Now “unmasked,” Cohen expressed relief at finally sharing her true identity, stating, “Even though the name will be a surprise, nothing else will. I’ve always been genuine with my readers.” She playfully described the revelation as “more boring than anything that happens in my books.”
“The Housemaid”’s success is remarkable, having earned nearly $400 million (£298 million) at the box office on a budget of just $35 million (£26 million). Metro’s review last year praised the film as “a pulpy tongue-in-cheek adaptation” offering a welcome escape from holiday sentimentality. A sequel, “The Housemaid’s Secret,” is currently in development and slated for release next year.
Adding to her impressive achievements, Cohen has consistently topped bestseller lists, selling over 20 million copies of her books to date. She’s joined a select group of authors who have historically concealed their identities, including the Brontë sisters, Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Louisa May Alcott, and Richard Bachman (Stephen King), and even Elena Ferrante, whose true identity remains a closely guarded secret.
The Daily Mail reported that Cohen attended Harvard and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in applied mathematics in 2001, before pursuing a medical degree at SUNY Stony Brook in New York City, graduating in 2005. She then completed her residency at Stanford University until 2009, followed by a fellowship at the Boston VA Hospital until late June 2010, before launching her writing career in 2013.
If you’d like to share your own celebrity story, Metro is always eager to hear from you. You can submit your tips, videos, or photos via email at celebtips@metro.co.uk or by visiting our Submit Stuff page.
