Julia Child

NAME Julia Carolyn McWilliams Child

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Julia Child is renowned as the "First Lady of American Cooking." She popularized French cuisine in the United States through her groundbreaking television series The French Chef and her bestselling cookbooks.

BIRTH Born on August 15, 1912, in Pasadena, California.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Julia came from a wealthy family. Her father, John McWilliams Jr., was a successful land manager, and her mother, Julia Carolyn Weston, was the daughter of a wealthy Massachusetts family. 

CHILDHOOD Julia grew up in a privileged environment, with a cook at home. However, she showed no interest in cooking during her childhood. Instead, she was known for her tall stature and athleticism.

EDUCATION She attended Smith College, graduating in 1934 with a degree in history. Afterward, she worked in advertising and media before joining the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II.

In 1951, she graduated from the Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris.

CAREER RECORD After graduating from college, Child worked as a research assistant for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) in New York City. She later moved to Paris, where she continued her work with the OSS.

She later enrolled in the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris, where she honed her culinary skills. 

Julia's career took off when she co-authored Mastering the Art of French Cooking, which was followed by her TV show, The French Chef, making her a household name.

APPEARANCE Julia Child was tall, standing at 6'2", with a distinctive presence. Her booming voice and enthusiastic mannerisms made her instantly recognizable.

Julia Child in her kitchen By Lynn Gilbert - 1978.

FASHION Julia’s fashion was practical, favoring simple blouses and pearl necklaces. She was not known for high fashion but always appeared neat and professional on her shows. She was rarely seen without her signature apron.

CHARACTER Julia was charismatic, approachable, and genuine. Her passion for food was contagious, and she had a warm, engaging personality that won her millions of fans.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Julia’s sense of humor was one of her trademarks. She was known for her candidness and lighthearted attitude in the kitchen, never afraid to joke about her clumsiness and her struggles with the French language. Her famous TV sign-off, “Bon appétit!,” showcased her playful spirit.

RELATIONSHIPS Julia married Paul Child on September 1, 1946. Paul was a diplomat and an artist with a love of food and culture. It was not until she met her husband that Julia began to explore the culinary arts. She learned to cook primarily to please Paul, attempting to seduce him with her kitchen prowess. Julia said that Paul was "responsible for everything I did" in her culinary career.

When Julia and Paul moved to Paris due to Paul's work assignment, she was introduced to French cuisine. Julia said, "That's where I really started in -- I just couldn't get over that food. It was just marvelous

Their marriage was a true partnership, with Paul supporting Julia in her culinary career.

They had no children.

MONEY AND FAME Julia became wealthy through her cookbooks, television shows, and public appearances. She was considered a cultural icon by the time of her death, with her impact on American cooking and food culture still celebrated.

FOOD AND DRINK Julia was passionate about French cuisine, bringing dishes like coq au vin and chocolate mousse to American kitchens. Her favorite dish was sole meunière, and her last meal was French onion soup. She believed in using butter generously and loved a good glass of wine with her meals.

MUSIC AND ARTS Julia had an appreciation for the arts. Her husband, Paul Child, was an artist and a lover of culture, and they often visited museums and attended concerts during their travels.

LITERATURE Child was a voracious reader. She enjoyed reading books on history, cooking, and travel. 

Julia Child's cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking is a seminal work that significantly impacted American culinary culture. Written by Julia Child, Simone Beck, and Louisette Bertholle, Volume 1 was released in 1961 and Volume 2 was published in 1970.

The book was specifically written for the American market, aiming to make French cuisine accessible to American home cooks. It provided clear, extensively tested recipes using ingredients readily available in American supermarkets. The book featured an innovative two-column layout, listing ingredients as they were needed in the recipe rather than at the beginning.

Mastering the Art of French Cooking is credited with introducing French cuisine to the American public. It sold over 100,000 copies in its first year. The book's success led to Julia Child being given her own television show, The French Chef. 

Her memoir, My Life in France, co-written with her grand-nephew Alex Prud'homme, captures her experiences in France and her love for cooking.

NATURE Julia enjoyed gardening and cooking with fresh ingredients. She valued the simplicity of using fresh, local produce.

The Julia Child rose was developed in the United States in 2004 by rose breeder Tom Carruth. Julia Child personally selected this rose to bear her name before her death. She chose it because she loved fragrant yellow roses. The rose is a floribunda variety with buttery yellow blooms and a licorice-like scent.

The Julia Child rose By Carolf2011

PETS Julia Child was a dog lover and had several dogs over the years. Her beloved poodles often appeared in her home kitchen.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Julia was an athlete in her youth, excelling in tennis, basketball, and golf. Throughout her life, she remained active, walking regularly and maintaining her physical fitness.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Julia had a scientific approach to cooking, focusing on technique and precision. Her detailed recipes reflected her methodical nature and her interest in understanding the chemistry behind cooking.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Julia was raised in a Protestant family but was not particularly religious. Her philosophy in life was one of passion, joy, and following one’s heart, which is reflected in her love for food.

POLITICS Julia was liberal-leaning in her later years and supported progressive causes. However, she generally kept her political views private.

SCANDAL Julia Child managed to maintain a scandal-free public life, known primarily for her positive contributions to the culinary world.

MILITARY RECORD During World War II, Julia worked for the OSS, where she contributed to various projects, including concocting a shark repellent to protect underwater explosives from sharks.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Julia was active throughout her life, remaining fit even in her later years. She lived a healthy life until her health declined due to kidney failure, which led to her death in 2004 at the age of 91.

HOMES Julia lived in several locations throughout her life, including Cambridge, Massachusetts, where her famous kitchen was located. Her home in France, La Pitchoune, was where she and Paul spent many happy years together.

Julia Child's kitchen at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History by RadioFan

TRAVEL Julia traveled extensively, both for pleasure and work. Her time in France shaped her culinary philosophy, and she frequently visited Europe throughout her life.

DEATH Julia Child passed away on August 13, 2004, in Montecito, California, just two days shy of her 92nd birthday. She died of kidney failure, and her last meal was a simple, classic French dish—French onion soup.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Julia was portrayed by Meryl Streep in the 2009 film Julie & Julia, which chronicled her life and influence on American cooking. Streep won a Golden Globe for her performance. Julia was also the subject of the 2021 documentary Julia, and Jean Stapleton portrayed her in a musical play titled Bon Appétit! in 1989.

ACHIEVEMENTS Julia’s biggest achievement was transforming the way Americans approached cooking. Her cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking remains a culinary classic, and her television show made her a pioneer in cooking shows. She received numerous awards and accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003.