Bestselling Author Freida McFadden Reveals Her True Identity as Doctor Sara Cohen
The internationally acclaimed author known as Freida McFadden has publicly revealed her real identity, stating she is "tired" of maintaining the secrecy that has surrounded her rapid literary ascent. In an exclusive interview with USA Today, McFadden disclosed that her legal name is Sara Cohen and that she has worked professionally as a medical doctor.
Ending Years of Speculation and Secrecy
"I am at a point in my career when I'm tired of this being a secret," McFadden confessed. "I'm tired of people debating if I'm a real person or if I'm three men. I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don't have anything to hide." The revelation comes after years of intense speculation about the true identity behind the bestselling pseudonym.
McFadden explained that she originally adopted the pen name to avoid conflicts with her medical career. "My whole goal was to keep it a secret until I was ready to step back from my doctor job, so it would not be like everyone I work with suddenly knew and it compromised my ability to do my job," she revealed. She had gradually reduced her clinical work to just once or twice monthly before fully leaving medicine in 2023.
A Remarkable Literary Career Under a Pseudonym
McFadden's writing career began in 2013 with her self-published debut novel The Devil Wears Scrubs. She subsequently authored a series of psychological thrillers before achieving breakthrough commercial success in 2022 with The Housemaid. That novel became an international phenomenon, selling more than two million copies worldwide and spending over a year on the New York Times bestseller list.
Her upcoming novel, The Divorce, is scheduled for publication on 26 May 2026. Despite revealing her true identity, McFadden confirmed she will continue publishing under her established pen name. "Even though I haven't told my real name until now, I feel like I have shared the real me all along," she stated. "Even though the name will be a surprise, nothing else will. I've always been genuine with my readers."
The Film Adaptation That Expanded Her Audience
The timing of her identity revelation follows the enormous success of the film adaptation of The Housemaid, which dramatically expanded her audience beyond readers. Released in December 2025 and directed by Paul Feig, the film starred Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried in a story about a young woman with a troubled past who uncovers disturbing secrets while working as a live-in maid for a wealthy family.
Produced on a reported budget of $35 million, the film grossed approximately $399 million worldwide, emerging as one of the year's most significant commercial successes. A sequel, The Housemaid's Secret, based on McFadden's novel of the same name, is currently in development and will feature Sweeney reprising her role alongside Kirsten Dunst.
Addressing Rumors and Maintaining Authenticity
In a December 2025 appearance on the Open Book with Jenna podcast, McFadden addressed various rumors that had circulated about her anonymity. She specifically dismissed claims that her books were written using artificial intelligence. "I think every author gets the 'AI is writing her books' even though most of my books were written before AI," she noted.
She also referenced more outlandish theories about her identity, including suggestions that "Freida McFadden" was not a single person but rather multiple authors. "One that is very funny is people saying I'm three men," she shared, adding that she took such speculation as "sort of a compliment."
Regarding her occasional use of a wig in public appearances, McFadden clarified this was less about concealment and more about practical considerations. "I had no idea how to style my hair," she explained simply. She also noted that her medical colleagues eventually became aware of her writing career and were supportive, with some having read her books without realizing she was the author.
