Lucy Hawking: Bestselling Children’s Author, Science Educator, and Stephen Hawking’s Daughter

Catherine Lucy Hawking, daughter of renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, has built a successful career making complex scientific concepts accessible to young readers. Through her bestselling children’s books and science education initiatives, she has inspired countless children to explore the universe and develop a passion for learning.

Her work bridges the gap between advanced scientific theory and engaging storytelling, creating educational content that entertains while teaching fundamental principles of physics, astronomy, and cosmology.

Who is Lucy Hawking?

Lucy Hawking is a British journalist, novelist, educator, and philanthropist born on November 2, 1970, in England. She is the daughter of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and author Jane Wilde Hawking.

Growing up in a household centered on scientific inquiry, Lucy developed an early appreciation for the power of knowledge. This background shaped her mission to make science education engaging and accessible, particularly for younger audiences who might otherwise find these subjects intimidating.

Early Life and Education

Lucy Hawking spent her early childhood in Pasadena, California, before her family settled in Cambridge, England. She is the second of three children, with brothers Robert Hawking (born 1967) and Timothy Hawking (born 1979).

Her father Stephen Hawking was making groundbreaking discoveries in theoretical physics while managing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Her mother, Jane Wilde Hawking, is an accomplished author and educator who studied languages. Despite the challenges posed by her father’s condition, Lucy has described her childhood as relatively normal, crediting her mother and maternal grandparents for maintaining stability.

Lucy attended the Stephen Perse Foundation before enrolling at the University of Oxford, where she studied French and Russian. She spent time in Moscow during her university years to focus on Russian studies. Later, she earned a graduate degree in international journalism from City, University of London.

Career Beginnings in Journalism

After completing her education, Lucy worked as a journalist for major British and American publications, including New York Magazine, the Daily Mail, The Telegraph, The Times, the London Evening Standard, and The Guardian. She also worked in radio journalism.

Her journalism career provided valuable experience in research, writing, and communicating complex subjects to diverse audiences. During this period, she recognized the critical need for effective science communication and saw how scientific advancements could be misunderstood without proper explanation.

The George’s Secret Key Book Series

Lucy Hawking’s most significant literary achievement is the George’s Secret Key series, co-authored with her father, Stephen Hawking, and physicist Christophe Galfard. The series consists of six books that introduce young readers to physics, astronomy, and cosmology through adventure stories.

The inspiration came when Lucy observed one of her son’s friends asking Stephen Hawking about black holes at a party. His response—that the child would “turn into spaghetti”—delighted the young listener and demonstrated that complex science could be explained in engaging, memorable ways.

1. George’s Secret Key to the Universe (2007)
2. George’s Cosmic Treasure Hunt (2009)
3. George and the Big Bang (2011)
4. George and the Unbreakable Code (2014)
5. George and the Blue Moon (2016)
6. George and the Ship of Time (2018)

The series has been translated into 38 languages and published in 43 countries, becoming a global bestseller. Each book combines narrative adventure with scientific facts presented through essays by Stephen Hawking and other leading scientists.

Other Literary Works

Adult Novels

• Jaded (2004) – Lucy’s debut novel
• Run for Your Life (2005) – Also published as “The Accidental Marathon.”

Princess Olivia Investigates Series

Lucy launched a new children’s series focusing on environmental and climate science:

• Princess Olivia Investigates: The Wrong Weather
• Princess Olivia Investigates: The Sea of Plastic

Non-Fiction and Educational Projects

• Unlocking the Universe (2019) – Co-authored with Stephen Hawking, compiling scientific content from the George series
• You and the Universe (2024) – Based on Stephen Hawking’s 2018 Earth Day address, illustrated by Xin Li
• Principia Space Diary (2017) – Developed with Curved House Kids for astronaut Tim Peake’s education outreach
• Mission Mars Diary series

Science Communication and Public Engagement

Lucy Hawking is a prominent science communicator who has given talks worldwide about engaging children with science. In April 2008, she participated in NASA’s 50th birthday lecture series, discussing the importance of early science education.

• 2010: Writer-in-residence at Arizona State University’s Origins Project (2011)
• 2013: Speaker at BrainSTEM festival, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, Canada
• 2017: Speaker at Emirates Airline Festival, Dubai
• 2020: Created podcast series “Lucy in the Sky” for Audible about the future of human space travel

Lucy has also appeared on the podcast “Hawking—A Literal Genius” and made documentaries for BBC Radio 4 about technology’s impact on human life.

Awards and Recognition

• Sapio Prize for Popularizing Science (2008) – Italian award for innovative science communicators
• Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (2015) – Recognizing her work explaining science to young audiences
• UNSW Medal for Science Communication (2015)
• Honorary Doctorate of Sciences – Queen Mary University of London (2015)
• Nominated for the Carnegie Medal – For the George’s Secret Key series

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Lucy Hawking serves in several charitable roles:

• Vice President – National Star College, supporting people with disabilities through personalized learning and lifestyle services
• Trustee – Autism Research Trust
• Chairperson – Stephen Hawking Foundation

Her son William’s autism diagnosis inspired her advocacy work supporting individuals on the autism spectrum. She has developed virtual reality experiences about autism and continues to champion disability inclusion.

Family and Personal Life

Lucy married Alex Mackenzie Smith, a former UN Peace Corps member in Bosnia, in 1998. They had a son, William, born in 1997. The couple divorced in 2004.

During the early 2000s, Lucy faced personal challenges including her divorce and her son’s autism diagnosis. She has been open about experiencing depression and seeking treatment at a clinic in Arizona. With support from family and friends, she recovered and returned to her work in science communication.

Stephen Hawking passed away on March 14, 2018, at age 76. Lucy played a significant role in preserving and sharing his legacy. She edited the text for his final book, “Brief Answers to the Big Questions,” wrote the afterword, and recorded the audiobook for Audible and BBC Radio 4.

The 2014 film “The Theory of Everything,” which won an Academy Award, depicted the Hawking family story, with Lucy portrayed by actress Rafaela Chapman.

Income Sources, Work and Net Worth

Lucy continues to create content that makes science accessible and exciting. She lives in London and works with Atlantic Productions on virtual reality experiences based on black hole theory. She is developing new book series for young readers and continues her role as chairperson of the Stephen Hawking Foundation.

Her books center on teaching science to children through entertainment, demonstrating that complex subjects like black holes, time travel, and the origins of the universe can be understood and appreciated by young minds.

Lucy Hawking’s income comes from multiple sources:

• Book royalties from the George’s Secret Key series, Princess Olivia series, and adult novels
• Speaking engagements and lectures on science communication
• Educational project collaborations with institutions and organizations
• Media projects including podcasts and virtual reality experiences

While her exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, estimates place it between $2.5 million and $3.5 million, reflecting her successful career as an author, journalist, and science communicator.

Conclusion

Lucy Hawking has established herself as a leading voice in science education and children’s literature. By combining her journalism skills with her passion for science and storytelling, she has created a body of work that entertains, educates, and inspires.

Her dedication to making science accessible extends beyond her books to include speaking engagements, educational projects, podcasts, and philanthropic work. As chairperson of the Stephen Hawking Foundation, she continues her father’s mission of advancing scientific understanding and supporting the next generation of scientists and curious minds.