Donna Leon
Currently Active
•
1942 — Present
Novelist
FN
Edited by Fenomenco Desk, Celebrity Research Team
Last Updated: Apr 11, 2026 • Fact-Checked
Personal Info
- Born
- Sep 28, 1942
- Age
- 83
- Birth Place
- Montclair, New Jersey, U.S.
LEGACY & ORIGINS
Occupation Novelist
Nationality American, Swiss (since 2020)
Period 1992–present
Genre Crime fiction
Notable works Death at La Fenice
Donna Leon (/ˈliːɒn/; born September 28, 1942) is the American author of a series of crime novels set in Venice, Italy, featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti. The novels are written in English and have been translated into many foreign languages, although – at Leon's request – not into Italian, as she formerly lived there, still visits monthly, and prefers not to have recognition in the country.
Donna Leon was born on September 28, 1942, in Montclair, New Jersey, to Roman Catholic parents, who had strong leanings to the Democratic party. Her paternal grandparents were Spanish and her maternal grandparents were Irish and German. She grew up in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and graduated from Mount Saint Dominic Academy. Her parents put a strong focus on education for their daughter.
The Guardian reports: "Leon was teaching in Iran while attempting to complete a PhD about Jane Austen when the revolution of 1978-79 interrupted her studies and her life. When her trunks were returned to her months later, following her hasty evacuation (part of it at gunpoint, on a bus), her papers were gone." She returned to the US and worked in New York City writing advertising copy. When she visited Italy for the first time, she fell in love with the country.
Nationality American, Swiss (since 2020)
Period 1992–present
Genre Crime fiction
Notable works Death at La Fenice
Donna Leon (/ˈliːɒn/; born September 28, 1942) is the American author of a series of crime novels set in Venice, Italy, featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti. The novels are written in English and have been translated into many foreign languages, although – at Leon's request – not into Italian, as she formerly lived there, still visits monthly, and prefers not to have recognition in the country.
Donna Leon was born on September 28, 1942, in Montclair, New Jersey, to Roman Catholic parents, who had strong leanings to the Democratic party. Her paternal grandparents were Spanish and her maternal grandparents were Irish and German. She grew up in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and graduated from Mount Saint Dominic Academy. Her parents put a strong focus on education for their daughter.
The Guardian reports: "Leon was teaching in Iran while attempting to complete a PhD about Jane Austen when the revolution of 1978-79 interrupted her studies and her life. When her trunks were returned to her months later, following her hasty evacuation (part of it at gunpoint, on a bus), her papers were gone." She returned to the US and worked in New York City writing advertising copy. When she visited Italy for the first time, she fell in love with the country.
Life & Career Details
Occupation Novelist
Nationality American, Swiss (since 2020)
Period 1992–present
Genre Crime fiction
Notable works Death at La Fenice
Donna Leon (/ˈliːɒn/; born September 28, 1942) is the American author of a series of crime novels set in Venice, Italy, featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti. The novels are written in English and have been translated into many foreign languages, although – at Leon's request – not into Italian, as she formerly lived there, still visits monthly, and prefers not to have recognition in the country.
Donna Leon was born on September 28, 1942, in Montclair, New Jersey, to Roman Catholic parents, who had strong leanings to the Democratic party. Her paternal grandparents were Spanish and her maternal grandparents were Irish and German. She grew up in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and graduated from Mount Saint Dominic Academy. Her parents put a strong focus on education for their daughter.
The Guardian reports: "Leon was teaching in Iran while attempting to complete a PhD about Jane Austen when the revolution of 1978-79 interrupted her studies and her life. When her trunks were returned to her months later, following her hasty evacuation (part of it at gunpoint, on a bus), her papers were gone." She returned to the US and worked in New York City writing advertising copy. When she visited Italy for the first time, she fell in love with the country.
Nationality American, Swiss (since 2020)
Period 1992–present
Genre Crime fiction
Notable works Death at La Fenice
Donna Leon (/ˈliːɒn/; born September 28, 1942) is the American author of a series of crime novels set in Venice, Italy, featuring the fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti. The novels are written in English and have been translated into many foreign languages, although – at Leon's request – not into Italian, as she formerly lived there, still visits monthly, and prefers not to have recognition in the country.
Donna Leon was born on September 28, 1942, in Montclair, New Jersey, to Roman Catholic parents, who had strong leanings to the Democratic party. Her paternal grandparents were Spanish and her maternal grandparents were Irish and German. She grew up in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and graduated from Mount Saint Dominic Academy. Her parents put a strong focus on education for their daughter.
The Guardian reports: "Leon was teaching in Iran while attempting to complete a PhD about Jane Austen when the revolution of 1978-79 interrupted her studies and her life. When her trunks were returned to her months later, following her hasty evacuation (part of it at gunpoint, on a bus), her papers were gone." She returned to the US and worked in New York City writing advertising copy. When she visited Italy for the first time, she fell in love with the country.
Works & Highlights
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Edited by David Kross, Celebrity Research Team
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