Isabel Allende was born in Peru and grew up in Chile. Novelist, feminist, and philanthropist, she is one of the most widely read writers in the world: she has sold more than 80 million copies and her work has been translated into 42 languages. Acclaimed by critics and the public, her books include La casa de los espíritus, Eva Luna, Paula, La isla bajo el mar, Violeta and El viento conoce mi nombre. In addition to her work as a writer, she devotes much of her time to the defense of human rights. She has received fifteen honorary doctorates, was inducted into the California Hall of Fame, and has been a recipient of both the PEN Literary Awards and the Anisfield-Wolf Awards, which recognize writers who have contributed to the appreciation of diversity and cultural enrichment. In 2014, U.S. President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian award; and in 2018 the National Book Foundation presented her with the Medal for Outstanding Contribution to American Letters. She currently lives in California with her husband and dogs.