Molly Jong Fast

Molly Jong-Fast was born on August 19, 1978, in Stamford, Connecticut, to renowned novelist Erica Jong and author Jonathan Fast. Her early life in Manhattan was influenced by her parents’ literary careers and her grandfather, writer Howard Fast. She attended Riverdale Country School and pursued higher education at Wesleyan University, Barnard College, and New York University before earning a Master of Fine Arts degree from Bennington College in 2004. Her initial career focused on writing, producing two novels, “Normal Girl” and “The Social Climber’s Handbook,” and three memoirs, “Girl [Maladjusted],” “The Sex Doctors in the Basement,” and “How to Lose Your Mother.” She married Matthew Adlai Greenfield in November 2003, and they have three children.

Following the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Jong-Fast shifted her focus to political commentary, becoming a notable left-wing voice during the Trump administration. She became a regular contributor to established publications such as The Forward, The Bulwark, Playboy, Glamour, and Vogue. This period marked a significant turning point in her career, emphasizing political analysis and journalism over her earlier literary works. Her transition into political discourse saw her contribute to The New York Times, W, Cosmopolitan, Mademoiselle, Marie Claire, the Times of London, Elle, and Modern Bride, establishing her presence in various media.

In December 2019, Molly Jong-Fast joined The Daily Beast as an editor-at-large and hosted the podcast “The New Abnormal.” Her media presence continued to expand with a role as a contributing writer at The Atlantic in November 2021, where she also penned the “Wait, What?” newsletter. In 2022, she became a special correspondent for Vanity Fair and launched her own iHeartMedia podcast, “Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast,” further solidifying her position in political media. Her book, “How to Lose Your Mother,” published by Viking Books in 2025, became a New York Times Bestseller.