Playwright and novelist Bonnie Greer dies aged 77
Her husband confirmed the acclaimed playwright died following a brief illness
Playwright and novelist Bonnie Greer has died aged 77 following a brief illness.
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Announcing her death, her husband David Hutchins, said: “It is with profound sadness that I announce that my beloved wife, Bonnie Greer, has died aged 77 after a brief illness.
“Bonnie was an acclaimed playwright, author, critic, cultural and political commentator whose intelligence, courage and distinctive voice made an enduring contribution to British cultural and public life.
“To me, she was my partner, confidante and inspiration, and I feel profoundly privileged to have shared my life with her.
“Those closest to Bonnie will remember her warmth, humour, generosity and extraordinary ability to bring people together.
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“At this immensely difficult time, we ask that our family’s privacy be respected. She will be deeply missed.”
Greer was born in Chicago and lived in New York City before moving to Britain in 1986.
She became a citizen in 1997.
She was awarded the Verity Bargate Award for best play for Munda Negra (1993) and she was also the author of the novels Hanging By Her Teeth (1994) and Entropy (2009).
In October 2009, her memoir and music history, Obama Music, was published.
Some of her other works include the biography Langston Hughes: The Value Of Contradiction (2011) and the play Marilyn And Ella (2008) about actress Marilyn Monroe and singer Ella Fitzgerald.
Greer was appointed to the British Museum’s board of trustees in 2005 and later served as deputy chairwoman.
She also served on the boards of the Royal Opera House and the London Film School and was appointed a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2022.
Greer appeared as a panellist on Newsnight Review and Question Time and served as Chancellor of Kingston University in Kingston upon Thames, London.
She was appointed an OBE in 2010 for services to the arts.