Robert Gottlieb Dead and Obituary, How did Legendary Editor Robert Gottlieb Die?
by A Maria
Updated Jun 15, 2023
Who was Robert Gottlieb?
Robert Adams Gottlieb was an American writer and editor. He worked as an editor-in-chief of Simon & Schuster, Alfred A., Knopf, and The New Yorker. Robert was born to a Jewish family based in New York in 1931 but he grew up mostly in the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
His middle name was in honor of his uncle Arthur Adams who is famously known as a Soviet Spy. He graduated from Columbia University in 1952 and received a degree from Cambridge University in 1954.
Name
Robert Adams Gottlieb
Date Of Birth
Died
June 14, 2023 (aged 92)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Alma mater
Columbia University (BA)
Cambridge University
Occupation
Editor
Employers
Spouse(s)
Muriel Higgins (divorced)
Maria Tucci (m. 1969)
Children
3
April 29, 1931
Robert Gottlieb Dead and Obituary
Robert Gottlieb died on June 14, 2023, at the age of 92. Toni Morrison, John le Carré, Michael Crichton, Robert Caro, and Bill Clinton were just a few of the writers Robert Gottlieb edited. He passed away on Wednesday at a hospital in Manhattan. His wife, actress Maria Tucci, confirmed that Gottlieb had passed away.
With a distinguished career at publishers Simon & Schuster and Alfred A. Knopf, Robert Gottlieb has built an impressive reputation as a literary figure. Renowned for his skill in nurturing manuscripts and transforming them into highly regarded, bestselling, and award-winning works, Gottlieb has earned the respect and admiration of the literary elite.
His client list reads like a who's who of literary giants, including John Cheever, Joseph Heller, Doris Lessing, Chaim Potok, and Ray Bradbury. Not only did he work with acclaimed authors, but he also had the privilege of representing Katharine Graham, the former publisher of the Washington Post.
How Did Legendary Editor Robert Gottlieb Die?
According to a statement from sources, Gottlieb passed away on Wednesday at a hospital in New York from natural causes. The brilliant literary editor Robert Gottlieb, whose career began with Joseph Heller's "Catch-22" and spanned decades with masterpieces like Toni Morrison's "Beloved" and Robert Caro's "The Power Broker," has passed away at age 92.
Caro, who had collaborated with Gottlieb for many years on his celebrated Lyndon Johnson biographies and was prominently featured alongside him in the documentary "Turn Every Page," expressed in a statement his profound admiration for Gottlieb's editorial skills.
According to Caro, who is known for his meticulous research and detailed storytelling, he had never encountered an editor who possessed such a profound understanding of the intricacies of the writing process. Caro's testament serves as a testament to Gottlieb's exceptional ability to guide authors and bring out the best in their work, solidifying his reputation as a remarkable and astute editor.
Celebrated Editor of Toni Morrison and Robert Caro Dies
Gottlieb commenced his career at Simon & Schuster in 1955, starting as an editorial assistant under the guidance of editor-in-chief Jack Goodman. Impressively, within a decade, he ascended to the position of editor-in-chief himself. During his tenure at the publishing house, Gottlieb made a notable discovery: Catch-22 by the then-unknown author Joseph Heller.
Taking an active role in editing the novel, Gottlieb even suggested the title's iconic number, "22," instead of the original "18," as a means to differentiate it from Leon Uris's upcoming Mila 18. In 1968, Gottlieb, along with Nina Bourne and Anthony Schulte, made a transition to Alfred A. Knopf. Initially assuming the role of editor-in-chief, he quickly rose to become the president of the publishing house.
After leaving Knopf in 1987, Gottlieb took on the esteemed position of editor at The New Yorker, succeeding William Shawn. He held this position until 1992. Following his departure from The New Yorker, Gottlieb returned to Alfred A. Knopf in an editor ex officio capacity. Throughout his career, Gottlieb has been a frequent contributor to esteemed publications such as The New York Review of Books, The New Yorker, and The New York Times Book Review.
Additionally, since 1999, he has served as the dance critic for The New York Observer. As an author, Gottlieb has penned biographies on notable figures including George Balanchine, Sarah Bernhardt, and the Dickens family. He has also compiled a collection of critical essays and edited several major anthologies, including Reading Jazz, Reading Dance, and, in collaboration with Robert Kimball, Reading Lyrics.
Not without some regrettable instances, Gottlieb experienced a moment of infamy for rejecting John Kennedy Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces—a decision he later regretted as the book went on to win the Pulitzer Prize posthumously after the author's tragic suicide. In September 2016, Gottlieb published his autobiography, Avid Reader: A Life, which provides a captivating account of his life and career in the literary world.
Robert Gottlieb Dead and Obituary - FAQs
Robert Gottlieb was an American writer and editor known for his work as the editor-in-chief of publishers Simon & Schuster, Alfred A. Knopf, and The New Yorker. Born to a Jewish family in New York in 1931, he spent most of his upbringing on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Yes, Robert Gottlieb passed away on June 14, 2023, at the age of 92. He was known for editing the works of notable writers such as Toni Morrison, John le Carré, Michael Crichton, Robert Caro, and Bill Clinton. He passed away at a hospital in Manhattan. His wife, actress Maria Tucci, confirmed the news of Gottlieb's passing.
Robert Gottlieb had a distinguished career in the publishing industry. He began his journey at Simon & Schuster in 1955 as an editorial assistant under editor-in-chief Jack Goodman. Within ten years, he rose to the position of editor-in-chief himself. During his time at Simon & Schuster, Gottlieb discovered and edited Joseph Heller's Catch-22, which became a literary sensation.
Robert Gottlieb passed away on Wednesday at a hospital in New York due to natural causes. As a brilliant literary editor, he was renowned for his work on influential books like Joseph Heller's Catch-22, Toni Morrison's Beloved, and Robert Caro's The Power Broker. He will be remembered as an important figure in the literary world.
Robert Caro, known for his celebrated biographies on Lyndon Johnson, had a close collaboration with Robert Gottlieb for many years. In the documentary "Turn Every Page," Caro expressed his profound admiration for Gottlieb's editorial abilities.