For the first time, bestselling author Freida McFadden is sharing a photo of what she looks like without a wig, which she has worn in photos and her official headshot for more than a decade.
McFadden, who worked as a doctor treating brain disorders before her writing career took off, shared an exclusive photo with TODAY.com in her lab coat that shows her real appearance.
The photo comes after she revealed to USA Today on April 8 that her real name is Sara Cohen, saying that she is “tired of this being a secret” and that she wears a wig in photos because she has “no idea how to style my hair.”
In a statement to TODAY.com, McFadden said, “It became clear to me that the mystery around my real name was taking on a lore of its own, and I decided it was time to share it.”
“Over the years, I have seen people online tease that they knew my real name and were going to tell everyone,” she said. “It made me laugh because it’s not like I’m in witness protection! I just always wanted the focus to be on my books, not my identity. I write because I love doing it and I love sharing my work with my readers.”
McFadden said she was overwhelmed by the reaction after she shared her real name.
“Given that so many authors publish under pen names, I’m astonished by the response to my real name,” she said. “I’m a very private person and will stay that way, but I have been so honored by the outpouring of love and support. I’ve read so many comments saying, ‘This is the plot twist I needed!’ which have made me smile.”
In her statement, the author also shared whether she will continue to use a pen name.
“Now that the truth is out there, I want my readers to know that I will still be publishing books as Freida McFadden,” she said. “It has always been my intention to entertain people and that is what I will continue doing as long as you keep reading. For now, I will go back to making myself scarce and writing more plot twists, the fictional kind!”
McFadden has been open in the past about living a dual life as a physician and an author. She spoke to TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager on the “Open Book with Jenna” podcast in 2025 about writing under a pseudonym.
“I never for a moment considered not writing under a pen name,” she said. “I just wanted to keep it separate.”
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