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‘America has lost one of its greatest storytellers today. We will miss you’
Joan Didion paved the way for many women in the fields of journalism and literature, and was widely regarded as a leading voice for feminism, political movements and women’s liberation.
On December 23 Didion passed away, aged 87, of Parkinson’s disease at her home in Manhattan, New York, after a career lasting over 60 years.
The author arrived on the literary and journalism scene in the 1960s as a result of her thought-provoking essays, that were equally as personal and as they were political. It wasn’t long before she became a household name with a knack for precise and sophisticated writing.
In recent years, Didion published her 2015 memoir The Year of Magical Thinking, which gave an honest and gripping account of grief (and addressed the the death of her husband, novelist John Gregory Dunne), and was chosen by Celine‘s former creative director Phoebe Philo to be the French house’s ‘face’ the same year.
As Didion once wrote: ‘A place belongs forever to whoever claims it hardest, remembers it most obsessively, wrenches it from itself, shapes it, renders it, loves it so radically that he remakes it in his own image.’
Since Didion’s passing, several celebrities including Harry Styles, Phoebe Bridgers and Reese Witherspoon have paid touching tributes to the literary great.
Here’s a round of the most touching messages:
Seizing the moment & celebrating Joan Didion today ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wyFuHO8X7Y
Molly’s Game star Jessica Chastain commemorated Didion by writing on Twitter: ‘Seizing the moment & celebrating Joan Didion today. [sic]’

Big Little Lies actor Reese Witherspoon wrote on Twitter: ‘A brilliant author who changed the art of writing. Thank you #JoanDidion for sharing your stories and work with the world. My prayers go out to all who knew and loved her. [sic]’
A brilliant author who changed the art of writing. Thank you #JoanDidion for sharing your stories and work with the world. My prayers go out to all who knew and loved her 🕊 pic.twitter.com/yS1bMnPsYH
American Horror Story actor Emma Roberts kept her message short and sweet, writing on her Instagram Stories: ‘I love you Joan. [sic]’
Singer Harry Styles shared an image of Didion on Instagram with a simple heart emoji.
America has lost one of its greatest storytellers today. We will miss you, Joan Didion. pic.twitter.com/d9q4MofapN
The original Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter paid a mark of respect to Didion when writing on Twitter: ‘America has lost one of its greatest storytellers today. We will miss you, Joan Didion. [sic]’
RIP Joan Didion, legendary journalist and novelist, “fearless, original, a marvelous observer,” who died today at 87.#joandidion pic.twitter.com/DSMT8TmuLQ
Thrive author Arianna Huffington paid tribute to Didion, while seemingly quoting a reference from a New York Times obituary.
She wrote: ‘RIP Joan Didion, legendary journalist and novelist, “fearless, original, a marvellous observer,” who died today at 87.’
although it did occur to me to call the desk and ask that the air conditioner be turned off, I never called, because I did not know how much to tip whoever might come—was anyone ever so young? I am here to tell you that someone was.
Singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers wrote on Twitter ‘RIP Joan’, and quoted an excerpt from Didion’s 1967 essay Goodbye to All That, which read: ‘Although it did occur to me to call the desk and ask that the air conditioner be turned off, I never called, because I did not know how much to tip whoever might come—was anyone ever so young? I am here to tell you that someone was.’
An icon is gone.

Joan Didion had an enormous impact on millions of us she would never know. She looked at everything, including her own life, searchingly.

The Year of Magical Thinking had a profound impact on my life. May she always be remembered for her honesty and talent. https://t.co/soC7IjyKOK
Politician Lindsey Boylan wrote on Twitter: ‘An icon is gone. Joan Didion had an enormous impact on millions of us she would never know. She looked at everything, including her own life, searchingly.
‘The Year of Magical Thinking had a profound impact on my life. May she always be remembered for her honesty and talent. [sic]’
Deepest gratitude to Joan Didion for how she helped me during a brutal, dark time. And that’s not even her best book! If you’ve yet to discover her, today’s a good day to do so.💙
Recalling how reading Didion’s memoir The Year of Magical Thinking helped him deal with his son’s cancer battle and chemotherapy treatment, comedian Rob Delaney wrote on Twitter: ‘Deepest gratitude to Joan Didion for how she helped me during a brutal, dark time. And that’s not even her best book! If you’ve yet to discover her, today’s a good day to do so. [sic]’
RIP Joan Didion. Another staggering loss. https://t.co/qvK8ybdztp
American writer Roxanne Gray wrote on Twitter: ‘RIP Joan Didion. Another staggering loss. [sic]’

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