Linda Goodman
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Linda Goodman, (April 9, 1925 - October 21, 1995) was a New York Times bestselling American astrologer and poet.
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[edit] Early life
She was born Mary Alice Kemery,[1] by some accounts in her parent's hometown of Parkersburg, West Virginia and by her own account in her maternal grandparents' house on Kingwood Street in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Although Goodman refused to ever reveal her year of birth, swearing even her father to silence, it emerged posthumously that she was born in 1925.[2]
She graduated from Central High School in Parkersburg, in 1943. The school is now called Parkersburg High School.
[edit] Career
She assumed the name Linda during World War II for a popular WCOM radio show in Parkersburg that she hosted called Love Letters from Linda. Each show consisted of Linda reading letters written between soldiers and their loved ones. Each letter was punctuated with a popular song of the day. While working in radio, she met her second husband, Sam O. Goodman and took his last name.
Linda Goodman began her career writing for newspapers in the eastern and southeastern United States. She also wrote speeches for black American civil rights leader Whitney Young, who served for several years as president of the National Urban League.
Some have suggested that Linda Goodman was responsible for accelerating the growth of the New Age movement through the unprecedented success of her first astrology book Linda Goodman's Sun Signs (1968). This was the first astrology book ever to earn a spot on the New York Times Bestseller List. It was followed by yet another success with Linda Goodman's Love Signs (1978), which also made the New York Times Bestseller List.
Other books by Linda Goodman include:
- Venus Trines at Midnight (1970)
- Linda Goodman’s Love Poems (1980)
- Linda Goodman’s Star Signs: the secret codes of the universe (1987)
- Gooberz (1989)
- Linda Goodman’s Relationship Signs (1998)
Gooberz begun in 1967, is one long epic poem riddled with a myriad of occult references and symbolism. It is also a thinly veiled autobiography, which explores two of her significant romantic relationships, her marriage to William Snyder, and her love affair with marine biologist Robert Brewer. It also touches on the birth of her four children Sally Snyder, Bill Snyder, Jill Goodman and Michael Goodman. The book surveys her ideas on reincarnation, karma, love, and miracles.
Goodman's books also reference what she referred to as the "disappearance" of her eldest daughter, Sally Snyder, and the mystery around her reported death. Linda Goodman spent much money and many years trying to find Sally, long after police closed the case as a suicide or accidental suicide.
Linda made Cripple Creek, Colorado her home during the latter part of her adult life.
[edit] Later life and death
A businesswoman from Ireland named Crystal Bush befriended Linda at the end of her life and obtained the publicity rights to Linda Goodman's name at her death. Crystal Bush published the book "Linda Goodman's Relationship Signs" after Linda's death.
It is said that Linda Goodman died on October 21, 1995, in Colorado from complications of diabetes. She was 70. Despite reports of her death, some of her followers maintain that she is still alive, living anonymously in rural New Zealand.
[edit] Footnotes
[edit] External links
http://www.consciousevolution.com/Astrology/AboutLinda.htm Spiritual pioneer Linda Goodman sought the secrets of life from more than just the stars
http://www.linda-goodman.com
