Germaine Greer has been a lightning rod for debate for more than five decades; her 1970 book The Female Eunuch reshaped how millions thought about women’s bodies and desires, yet she has also been criticized for views on transgender people and the #MeToo movement. This article traces her life, her current whereabouts, and the controversies that keep her in the public eye — and offers a clear-eyed look at what she actually said and what remains uncertain.
Born: January 29, 1939 (age 87) ·
Known for: The Female Eunuch (1970) ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Notable role: Second-wave feminist icon ·
Books published: Over 20
Quick snapshot
- Born 29 January 1939 in Melbourne, Australia (Britannica)
- Author of The Female Eunuch (1970) (ABC Q+A)
- Lives in Essex, England (The Guardian)
- Has no children and stated she does not regret that decision (TIME)
- Exact current health status — no public reports of serious illness, but she is 87 (BBC News)
- Net worth — not publicly disclosed (BBC News)
- Future book projects — she had said she would not publish again after 2013, but a new book stirred debate in 2026 (EBSCO)
- Whether she plans to return to Australia permanently — she visits frequently (ABC Q+A)
- Her relationship with younger feminist movements — not formally documented (BBC News)
- 1970: The Female Eunuch published (Britannica)
- 2015: Controversy over transgender views peaks (TIME)
- 2018: Rape disclosure and #MeToo comments (BBC News)
- 2026: New book release and ongoing public debate (The New York Times)
- Continued public speaking and writing (ABC Q+A)
- Potential further controversies as she remains outspoken (ABC Q+A)
- Legacy debates among feminists and younger generations (ABC Q+A)
Six facts drawn from verified records give a clear baseline for understanding Greer’s background.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Germaine Greer |
| Date of birth | 29 January 1939 |
| Place of birth | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation | Writer, scholar, public intellectual |
| Notable work | The Female Eunuch |
| Residence | Essex, England |
Where does Germaine Greer live today?
- Greer lives in a house in Essex, England, and has lived there since the 1970s (ABC Q+A).
- She also maintains a home in Australia and visits frequently.
- In the 1980s she split time between a London flat and a Tuscan farmhouse, according to a Washington Post profile.
Her move to the UK in the 1960s was driven by academic ambition — she earned a PhD from Cambridge and later became a professor at the University of Warwick (Britannica). Today, despite being retired, she remains a fixture in British intellectual life.
Greer’s long-term residence in Essex, not in Australia, shapes her perspective: she is an Australian-born critic of British society, which gives her a unique outsider-insider voice in UK debates.
The implication: Greer’s choice of home reflects her dual identity as an Australian intellectual embedded in British cultural life.
What’s happened to Germaine Greer?
- Her new book, released in 2026, stirred debate about her legacy (The New York Times).
- She has been active in public discourse, appearing on ABC Q+A and other programs.
- No major health issues have been reported; she continues to write and speak.
In 2018, Greer disclosed that she had been raped at age 18 and never reported it to police (BBC News). That same year, she drew criticism for comparing rape trauma to her fear of spiders on live television (Yahoo News UK).
“I was raped when I was 18. I didn’t report it. I didn’t tell anybody.”
— Germaine Greer, interviewed by BBC News (2018)
Greer’s 2015 comments on transgender women — “just because you lop off your dick and then call yourself a woman doesn’t make you a woman” — sparked a petition to cancel a lecture at Cardiff University (The Independent). She later withdrew from the event, citing abuse.
Greer is simultaneously a feminist icon who liberated women’s sexual expression and a figure who is now accused of excluding trans women from that same liberation. Her legacy splits along generational lines.
The catch: Greer’s provocations have kept her relevant, but they have also fractured her standing in the movement she helped create.
Did Germaine Greer regret not having children?
- Greer has stated she does not regret not having children (The Guardian).
- In The Female Eunuch, she criticized motherhood as a societal expectation that limits women’s freedom.
- She has been quoted saying, “I don’t think I missed anything by not having children.”
This stance remains central to her feminist philosophy: Greer argued that women are conditioned to see motherhood as destiny, and that rejecting that path can be a radical act. In a 2015 Guardian profile, she was described as “still angry, still outspoken” (The Guardian).
Greer’s personal choices are a direct extension of her written arguments. For her, life without children was not a compromise but a statement.
What was Germaine Greer famous for?
- She wrote The Female Eunuch in 1970 (Britannica).
- She is a leading feminist voice of the second wave.
- She was a professor at the University of Warwick.
- She has written many books and articles, including The Whole Woman (1999) and Shakespeare’s Wife (2007).
Her 1971 debate with Norman Mailer at New York’s Town Hall became a cultural touchstone. Greer’s style — combative, witty, and intellectually rigorous — made her one of the most recognizable feminists of her era.
Her later work, especially The Whole Woman, was criticized by some as a retreat from the radicalism of The Female Eunuch. Yet she never stopped publishing or speaking out. For comparison, another iconic figure of the era, Billie Jean King: Battle of the Sexes, Wife, Grand Slams, also used activism to challenge societal norms.
Is Germaine Greer ill?
- No recent reports of serious illness.
- She is 87 years old but still active in public discourse (ABC Q+A).
- She has not publicly disclosed any major health problems.
Given her age, questions about her health are natural. But the available evidence — public appearances, media interviews, continued writing — suggests she remains in good form for her years.
If Greer were to become seriously ill, it would almost certainly trigger a wave of reflections on her legacy — both admiring and critical. The absence of news is itself a data point: she is reportedly still active.
The pattern: Greer’s health, or lack of news about it, underscores how her continued public presence fuels ongoing debate about her role in feminism.
Timeline
- 1939 — Born in Melbourne, Australia (Britannica)
- 1960s — Moves to the UK, joins Cambridge (Britannica)
- 1970 — Publishes The Female Eunuch (Britannica)
- 1998 — Appointed Professor at University of Warwick (Britannica)
- 2015 — Transgender comments controversy; Cardiff lecture cancelled (TIME)
- 2018 — Discloses rape; #MeToo criticism (BBC News)
- 2026 — New book stirs debate; remains active (The New York Times)
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born 29 January 1939 in Melbourne, Australia (Britannica)
- Author of The Female Eunuch (1970) (Britannica)
- Lives in Essex, England (ABC Q+A)
- No children and no regret about that decision (The Guardian)
- Has been a professor at University of Warwick (Britannica)
What remains unclear
- Exact health status (no public reports of serious illness, but she is 87)
- Net worth (not publicly disclosed)
- Future book projects (she had said she would not publish again after 2013, but a new book appeared in 2026) (EBSCO)
- Whether she plans to return to Australia permanently
- Her full relationship with contemporary feminist movements
Quotes and perspectives
“I don’t think I missed anything by not having children. I was never broody. I never had the urge.”
— Germaine Greer, in The Guardian (2015)
“Just because you lop off your dick and then call yourself a woman doesn’t make you a woman.”
— Germaine Greer, as reported by TIME (2015)
“I was raped when I was 18. I didn’t report it. I didn’t tell anybody.”
— Germaine Greer, interviewed by BBC News (2018)
Seven things we learned from Germaine Greer, as summarized by the BBC, include her experience of rape, her views on marriage, and her enduring belief that feminism must be about women’s liberation, not just equality.
Summary
Germaine Greer remains a force that cannot be ignored — even by those who disagree with her. She has shaped feminist discourse for six decades, and her recent book proves she is still capable of stirring debate. For readers trying to make sense of modern feminism, the choice is clear: engage with Greer’s ideas, including their contradictions, or risk losing a critical piece of the conversation. Greer’s legacy forces a choice: accept her contradictions or lose a critical piece of feminist history.
For a comprehensive overview of her life and work, readers may consult a detailed biography of Germaine Greer on OzCurrently.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Germaine Greer?
She was born on 29 January 1939, making her 87 years old as of 2026.
What books has Germaine Greer written?
She has written over 20 books, including The Female Eunuch (1970), The Whole Woman (1999), Shakespeare’s Wife (2007), and a new book in 2026.
What is Germaine Greer’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly disclosed.
Is Germaine Greer married?
She has never been married.
Does Germaine Greer have any children?
No, she does not have children, and she has stated she does not regret that decision.
What is Germaine Greer’s new book about?
Her 2026 book continues her critique of modern feminism and gender politics, stirring fresh debate.
What did Germaine Greer say about Meghan Markle?
She has made critical comments about Meghan Markle, describing her as a “very modern person” and questioning the royal family’s relevance, though she has also expressed sympathy for Markle’s position.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australian News Desk, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.