Celia Walden
Celia Walden | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 8, 1975 Paris, France |
| Occupation(s) | Author, journalist, critic |
| Known for | Feature writing, gossip column editing |
Celia Isobel Walden (born 8 December 1975) is a British author, journalist, and critic.
Early life and education
Born in Paris, France, Walden is the daughter of George Walden, a Conservative Member of Parliament and former Minister for Higher Education during Margaret Thatcher's tenure. Her mother, Sarah, specializes in art history and restoration. Walden received her education at Westminster School before pursuing French and Italian studies at Newnham College, Cambridge. She has two siblings.
Career
Although Walden has experience working as a waitress, she is predominantly recognized as a feature writer and ex-gossip columnist. She served as the final editor of the "Spy" diary in The Daily Telegraph and has contributed to publications such as the Evening Standard and the Daily Mail. Her first novel, Harm's Way, was released in August 2008.
In 2011, Walden authored a provocative piece in The Daily Telegraph sharply criticizing cyclists, coinciding with a fatal cycling incident in London. This column attracted significant backlash from cycling advocacy organizations.
Her memoir from 2011, Babysitting George, which details her experiences with footballer George Best, was met with harsh disapproval from Best's widow and former partner due to claims of fictionalization. The dispute involved potential legal measures against Bloomsbury Publishing and allegations that the narrative misrepresented actual events.
Personal life
Walden entered into a relationship with journalist Piers Morgan in January 2006. The couple married privately on 24 June 2010 in the village of Swinbrook, Oxfordshire. In June 2011, Morgan revealed they were expecting a child together, and on 25 November 2011, Walden gave birth to their first child, which was Morgan’s fourth.