Linda Goodman

Linda Goodman (born Mary Alice Kemery; April 9, 1925 – October 21, 1995) was an American astrologer, poet, and author whose book Sun Signs (1968) sold over five million copies and elevated sun-sign horoscopes from fringe occultism to widespread commercial popularity in the United States.

Born in Morgantown, West Virginia, Goodman initially pursued careers in journalism, radio broadcasting, and speechwriting, including work for civil rights leader Whitney Young, before transitioning to astrology amid personal interest sparked by her own chart readings. Her breakthrough came with Sun Signs , a witty, narrative-driven guide to zodiac personalities that topped bestseller lists and prompted follow-ups like Love Signs (1978), cementing her as the era's most commercially successful astrologer despite the field's dismissal by empirical science as lacking predictive validity.

Goodman's influence extended to cultural normalization of astrology in media and self-help , though she grew reclusive in later years, authoring from seclusion in Colorado until her death from diabetes complications; her works persist in print, sustaining her legacy amid ongoing debates over astrology's causal claims versus observed correlations in reader appeal.

Mary Alice Kemery, who later adopted the professional name Linda Goodman, was born on April 9, 1925, in Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia . Her father was Robert S. Kemery, and her mother was Mazie Kemery (née McBee).

Goodman maintained a high degree of secrecy about her personal history, including her birth year, to the extent that she reportedly swore her father to silence on the matter. This reticence extended to much of her early life, with few public details emerging beyond her Appalachian upbringing in the hills of West Virginia , primarily in Morgantown and the nearby city of Parkersburg.

From a young age, Goodman exhibited an aptitude for writing, which she pursued as a foundational interest amid the modest, rural environment of her childhood. Specific family dynamics or formative events remain sparsely documented, reflecting her deliberate avoidance of biographical scrutiny.

Goodman, born Mary Alice Kemery on April 9, 1925, in Morgantown, West Virginia, completed her secondary education at Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, West Virginia, graduating in 1943. No verifiable records indicate that she attended college or pursued any postsecondary formal education, with her career trajectory shifting directly from high school into professional writing and journalism roles.

Her early influences centered on a precocious interest in writing, which she pursued from childhood and which honed her narrative and analytical skills. This self-directed foundation in literature and communication, rather than structured academic training, informed her later interdisciplinary approach to topics like astrology , where she emphasized accessible, character-driven exposition over technical esotericism. Professional mentors in journalism , including stints as a reporter and radio scriptwriter, further shaped her ability to synthesize complex ideas for broad audiences, as evidenced by her early work supporting civil rights figures such as Whitney Young .

Goodman initiated her writing career in the mid-1940s as a columnist and feature writer for regional newspapers in West Virginia and Tennessee , specifically the Parkersburg News-Sentinel and the Clarksville Courier . These roles involved producing local features and opinion pieces, marking her entry into professional journalism following her education. She subsequently transitioned to more varied reporting work, functioning as an itinerant newspaper reporter covering stories across the eastern and southeastern United States during the late 1940s and 1950s.

In addition to print journalism, Goodman contributed to radio production as a writer and occasional broadcaster, crafting scripts and delivering content for stations in the same regions.