Jean Carroll

Jean Carroll: biography

Jean Carroll whose full name is Elizabeth Jean Carroll is an American author and journalist, best known for her work as a syndicated advice columnist.

Childhood and youth

Jean Carroll was born on December 12, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan, to a family of five children. Jean Carroll's father, Thomas F. Carroll Jr., was known for his inventions, while her mother, Betty (née McKinney) Carroll, was a Republican politician who served in Allen County, Indiana.

Jean Carroll grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as the oldest of four siblings, with two sisters and a brother. She attended Indiana University, where she was a Pi Beta Phi member and a cheerleader. In 1963, she won the title of Miss Indiana University, and the following year, she represented the university and won the Miss Cheerleader USA pageant. In 1965, Carroll appeared on the game show To Tell the Truth.

As a child, Carroll was known for her intelligence and curiosity. She was an avid reader and loved to write stories and poems. She also enjoyed playing sports, particularly basketball, and was a member of her high school team.

After graduating from high school, Carroll attended the University of Michigan, where she studied English and wrote for the student newspaper. During her college years, she became involved in the civil rights movement and participated in protests and demonstrations against racial discrimination.

After earning her degree, Carroll moved to New York City to pursue a career in journalism. She landed her first job at the Staten Island Advance, where she worked as a reporter. She then went on to work for several other publications, including the Detroit Free Press and the Ladies' Home Journal.

Career

Jean Carroll's career as a journalist and author spans several decades and is marked by her wit, humor, and fearless approach to tackling tough topics.

She began her journalism career in the 1970s, working as a reporter for various publications including the Detroit Free Press and the Ladies' Home Journal. During this time, she also wrote her first book, "Hunter: The Strange and Savage Life of Hunter S. Thompson," a biography of the famous journalist and writer.

In 1991, Carroll began writing a syndicated advice column called "Ask E. Jean" for Elle magazine. The column quickly became popular for its no-nonsense approach to giving advice on everything from relationships to career choices. The column has been described as "part Dear Abby, part Sex and the City," and has won several awards for its frank and humorous tone.

In addition to her column, Carroll has written several books, including "A Dog in Heat is a Hot Dog and Other Rules to Live By," a collection of her columns, and "What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal," a memoir that chronicles her experiences with sexual assault and harassment.

Carroll has also worked as a television commentator, appearing on programs such as "Today" and "Good Morning America," and has been a regular contributor to "The Daily Beast" and other publications.

Despite facing criticism and controversy throughout her career, Carroll has remained committed to speaking her truth and advocating for the causes she believes in, including women's rights and the fight against sexual assault and harassment. Her work as a journalist, author, and advocate has inspired many and continues to have a significant impact on popular culture and society.

Personal life

Jean Carroll has been known to keep her personal life relatively private. She was married twice. Her first marriage was to her first husband Stephen Byers; they divorced in 1984. Later Jean was married to John Johnson, an anchorman and artist. They were together till 1990.

In her memoir "What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal," Carroll revealed that she has been the victim of sexual assault and harassment multiple times throughout her life. She has also been a vocal advocate for the #MeToo movement and has spoken out against the culture of sexual violence and abuse.

In June 2019, Carroll made headlines when she accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump denied the allegations, and Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit against him in response. The lawsuit was dismissed in March 2021 by a federal judge, who ruled that Trump's statements about Carroll were made in the course of his official duties as President and were therefore protected by immunity. The case is currently being appealed. As of May 9, 2023, a verdict was reached by a jury of 6 men and 3 women, finding Donald Trump liable for sexual assault, battery, and defamation in relation to Jean Carroll's case. However, on the specific issue of rape, the jury found that Carroll had not provided sufficient evidence to prove that Trump had raped her. As a result, Carroll was awarded $5 million in damages. Despite this, Trump's attorney has stated that the verdict will be appealed.

In addition to her advocacy work, Carroll has a passion for travel and has visited numerous countries around the world. She has also been a collector of antiques and has written about her love for vintage and unusual items.

Overall, while Jean Carroll's personal life is not widely publicized, her dedication to social justice, animal welfare, and her love of dogs and antiques has been evident in her public work and writings.

Bibliography

Here is a list of some of Jean Carroll's selected books:

• "Female Difficulties: Sorority Sisters, Rodeo Queens, Frigid Women, Smut Stars, and Other Modern Girls" (1985)
• "Hunter: The Strange and Savage Life of Hunter S. Thompson" (1993)
• "A Dog in Heat Is a Hot Dog and Other Rules to Live By" (1996)
• "The Best of "Ask E. Jean": Because Life Is Too Short to Waste Time on Stupidity" (2004)
• "Mr. Right, Right Now!: How a Smart Woman Can Land Her Dream Man in 6 Weeks" (2004)
• "What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal" (2019)