Marianne Williamson
Born 1952 · Age 73
American author, lecturer, spiritual leader, charity founder and political activist; author of A Return to Love; 2014 congressional candidate; 2020 and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate; founder of Project Angel Food and The Peace Alliance.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Houston, Texas
Marianne Deborah Williamson was born in Houston, Texas, the youngest of three children to Samuel Williamson and Sophie Ann Kaplan.
Family trip to Vietnam after 7th-grade incident
After reporting a teacher's support for the Vietnam War, her father took the family to Vietnam to explain his view—an experience Williamson cites as formative.
Attended Pomona College (two years)
Studied theater and philosophy for two years at Pomona College; roommate of future producer Lynda Obst.
Graduated Bellaire High School
Completed secondary education at Bellaire High School in Houston.
Moved to New Mexico and attended University of New Mexico
Lived in a geodesic dome with a boyfriend and took classes at the University of New Mexico; relationship ended after a year.
Dropped out of Pomona College
Left Pomona College and began what she later called a 'nomadic existence' in her 20s.
Moved to New York City to pursue cabaret singing
Relocated to New York intending to become a cabaret singer; struggled with personal issues during this period.
Moved to Austin, Texas and studied at University of Texas
Took classes at the University of Texas after leaving New Mexico.
Discovered A Course in Miracles
Became deeply interested in Helen Schucman's A Course in Miracles, which became the foundation of her teachings.
Returned to Houston; opened metaphysical bookstore and coffee shop
Ran a metaphysical bookstore/coffee shop and sang Gershwin standards in a nightclub; married briefly in 1979.
Brief marriage (1979)
She was briefly married in 1979 to a Houston businessman; marriage lasted a very short time.
First public teaching at Philosophical Research Society
Began speaking to small groups about A Course in Miracles; this launched her 35-year teaching career.
Moved to Los Angeles and began lecturing
Closed the coffee shop and relocated to Hollywood; began holding prayer groups and lecturing about A Course in Miracles.
Founded The Center(s) for Living (Los Angeles)
Launched the Center for Living in Los Angeles to help people with life-threatening illnesses; initial $50,000 donation from David Geffen.
Began monthly lecturing in New York
Started lecturing monthly in New York and was invited to speak across the U.S. and Europe.
Opened second Center for Living in New York (funding)
Opened a New York location after another $50,000 donation from David Geffen; encountered board conflicts over management and prayer.
Founded Project Angel Food
Launched Project Angel Food (operated by The Centers for Living) to deliver meals to people with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles.
Birth of daughter (1990)
Marianne Williamson gave birth to her daughter in 1990.
Published A Return to Love (NYT Bestseller)
Released A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles; it became a New York Times bestseller for 39 weeks and raised her national profile.
Stepped down from Centers for Living (summer 1992)
Left leadership at the Centers amid board conflicts; gave an extra $50,000 and remained an advisor.
Project Angel Food growth by 1992
By 1992 Project Angel Food had raised over $1.5 million and was delivering nearly 400 hot meals per day.
Resigned from Project Angel Food (March 1992)
Resigned amid staff and board disputes; Project Angel Food continued operations after initial struggles.
Also published A Woman's Worth (1992)
Published a second book in 1992; part of a productive early 1990s publishing period.
Published Illuminata and The Healing of America (1994)
Continued prolific writing with multiple books in 1994.
Co-founded Global Renaissance Alliance
Co-founded Global Renaissance Alliance with Neale Donald Walsch; organization focused on peace circles and spiritual activism.
Co-founded The Peace Alliance (origins)
The Global Renaissance Alliance later evolved into The Peace Alliance focused on grassroots education and advocacy for peacebuilding (renamed/mandate change around 2004).
Launched 'citizen salons' / Peace Circles (GRA)
Established a grassroots network of small 'Peace Circles' to pray and work for national growth and peace through the Global Renaissance Alliance.
Project Angel Food milestone (1998)
By 1998 Project Angel Food had over 1,500 volunteers and nearly 1,000 clients, continuing growth after Williamson's departure.
Published Enchanted Love (1999)
Continued publishing on spiritual relationships and transformation.
Published two books in 2000
Published Imagine What America Could Be and Healing the Soul of America (2000).
Resigned as spiritual leader of Church of Today (circa 2002–2003)
Served as spiritual leader of the Church of Today (Unity) in Warren, Michigan—expanded outreach and choir; left after disagreements over affiliation.
Published Everyday Grace (2002)
Released Everyday Grace: Having Hope, Finding Forgiveness, And Making Miracles.
Published The Gift of Change (2004)
Published The Gift of Change: Spiritual Guidance for Living Your Best Life.
Global Renaissance Alliance renamed The Peace Alliance (2004)
Organization refocused on grassroots education and advocacy to increase governmental support for peacebuilding and promoted a Department of Peace.
Named one of 50 Most Influential Baby Boomers by Newsweek
Recognized by Newsweek as one of the most influential baby boomers.
Published A Course in Weight Loss (2010)
Released A Course in Weight Loss: 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering Your Weight Forever.
Reported assets estimated at $1M–$5M (2013 disclosure)
Campaign disclosure reported assets between $1 million and $5 million (excluding personal residences).
Finished fourth in CA-33 primary (13.2%)
Received 14,335 votes (13.2%) in a crowded 18-candidate primary; did not advance to general election.
Alanis Morissette wrote campaign song 'Today' and endorsements
Singer Alanis Morissette wrote and performed a campaign song; endorsements included Ben Cohen, Jennifer Granholm, Jesse Ventura, Dennis Kucinich, Alan Grayson, Van Jones, and Eva Longoria.
Announced independent run for U.S. House, CA-33
Ran as an Independent for California's 33rd congressional district; campaigned on progressive issues and received notable celebrity endorsements.
Raised $2.4M for 2014 congressional campaign
Total fundraising for the campaign was $2.4 million; Williamson personally contributed 25% (~$600,000).
Published The Law of Divine Compensation (2014) and Tears to Triumph (2016)
Continued publishing; The Law of Divine Compensation (2014) and Tears to Triumph (2016) among recent works.
Oprah Winfrey's public endorsement of A Return to Love
Oprah bought 1,000 copies of A Return to Love and publicly endorsed the book—cited as a major factor in Williamson's rise to prominence.
Project Angel Food scale (2018)
By 2018, Project Angel Food was delivering 12,000 meals weekly with expanded services across Los Angeles.
Total book sales exceeded 3 million copies (by 2019 reporting)
By 2019 Williamson had sold more than three million books and had seven New York Times bestsellers (four #1s).
Total New York Times bestsellers and book output
By 2019 she had authored 14 books (as reported in sources) with seven NYT bestsellers and four reaching #1, and total book sales exceeding three million.
Published A Politics of Love (2019 stated authorship and platform)
Authored A Politics of Love: A Handbook for a New American Revolution (2019) which laid out much of her political philosophy and platform.
Board member of RESULTS until 2017 (longtime involvement)
Served on the board of RESULTS, a nonprofit focused on long-term solutions to poverty; remained involved in sister organizations.
Announced formation of 2020 presidential exploratory committee
Announced intent to explore a 2020 presidential bid, forming an exploratory committee.
Raised $1.5M in Q1 2019 from 46,663 donors
Campaign reported $1.5 million in first-quarter fundraising with 46,663 unique donors, helping qualify her for debates.
Notable debate media reaction (2019)
After the July 30, 2019 debate, she received both praise for eloquence on reparations and criticism for unconventional answers; significantly amplified online presence.
Frequent appearances on Oprah Winfrey's show; became Oprah's spiritual advisor
Her 1992 bestseller led to frequent appearances and high-profile endorsement from Oprah, boosting her profile.
Sought virtual caucus organizing in Iowa
Announced a plan to appoint 99 'Virtual Iowa Caucus Captains' to support virtual and in-person caucus turnout.
Officially launched 2020 presidential campaign (Los Angeles)
Launched campaign before an audience of ~2,000 in Los Angeles and named Maurice Daniel national campaign manager.
Filed 'Marianne Williamson for President' committee
Formal campaign committee filed with the FEC on Feb 4, 2019.
Campaign staff size reported at 20 (May 1, 2019)
Campaign reported a staff of 20 people as of May 1, 2019.
Met polling criteria to qualify for DNC debates
Recorded three qualifying polls at 1% to meet DNC debate polling thresholds (May 23, 2019).
Participated in first Democratic primary debate (June 2019)
Appeared on stage in the first primary debate and drew attention for remarks about 'harnessing love' and calling New Zealand's leader 'Girlfriend, you are so on.'
Moved to Des Moines, Iowa (June 2019)
Relocated to Iowa in advance of the 2020 caucuses.
Participated in second Democratic debate (July 30, 2019)
Appeared on the July 30 debate, became highly googled nationally (most Googled in 49 of 50 states) and generated substantial media attention.
Suspended 2020 presidential campaign
Announced the end of her 2020 campaign and pledged to support the eventual Democratic nominee.
Endorsed Bernie Sanders
Publicly endorsed Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination.
Published The Mystic Jesus (2023)
Released The Mystic Jesus: The Mind of Love (2023).
Campaign controversies and staff complaints (2023)
Anonymous former 2020 staffers described working for Williamson as 'toxic'; 2023 staff accounts and reports of phone-throwing and a car incident circulated; Williamson denied some claims and acknowledged growth areas.
Announced intent to run for president in 2024
Confirmed she would launch a run for president in the future and began early campaign work in South Carolina and New Hampshire.
Launched 2024 presidential campaign
Officially started her 2024 campaign on March 4, 2023.
Key campaign staff departures (May–June 2023)
Deputy campaign manager Jason Call left May 20, 2023, following earlier departures including campaign manager Peter Daou; reports of staff turmoil surfaced.
Self-funding and campaign debt reported
Reportedly contributed $220,000 of her own money to the campaign and campaign disclosures showed ~$270,000 in unpaid debts (report from July 2023).
Approximately 500,000 votes received in 2024 primaries total
Across the 2024 primary season, Williamson received approximately 500,000 votes in total.
Kansas primary notable tie in Greeley County
In the Kansas primary, Greeley County experienced a reported tie between Biden, 'None of these names', and Williamson.
Public platform highlights (2024 campaign)
Campaign platform included ending the war on drugs, increasing federal minimum wage, African American reparations ($200–$500B over 20 years), climate action, and creating a U.S. Department of Peace.
Received 4% in New Hampshire primary (2024)
Finished with approximately 4% of the vote in the New Hampshire primary.
Received 2.1% in South Carolina primary
Earned 2.1% of the vote in the South Carolina Democratic primary (led to tentative decision to drop out).
Suspended 2024 presidential campaign (Feb 7, 2024)
Announced campaign suspension after receiving 2.9% in the Nevada Democratic primary.
Placed third in Michigan primary (3%)
Received ~3% of the vote in the Michigan Democratic primary on Feb 27, 2024.
Re-entered 2024 presidential race (Feb 28, 2024)
Lifted her suspension and re-entered the Democratic primary after the Michigan result.
Suspended 2024 campaign (June 11, 2024)
Announced suspension of her campaign after the primary season had effectively ended.
Re-entered 2024 race (July 2, 2024)
Re-entered the presidential race following calls for President Biden to drop out after the June 27 debate.
Ended 2024 presidential campaign (July 29, 2024)
Suspended and effectively ended her longshot 2024 presidential bid for the final time.
Announced bid for DNC chair (Dec 26, 2024)
Declared candidacy for chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Excluded from DNC Ethnic Council forum (Jan 10, 2025)
Publicly stated the DNC Ethnic Council informed her she would be excluded from their candidate forum; she denounced the exclusion.
Endorsed Ken Martin for DNC chair (Feb 1, 2025)
Posted on X that she endorsed frontrunner Ken Martin in the DNC chair election.
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