Sarah Dunant is a highly regarded English author, broadcaster, and critic. She was born in London on August 8, 1950, and spent her childhood there until she went to college. Dunant was raised by her father, David Dunant, who was a steward for the Welsh airlines and later became a manager at British Airways. Her mother, Estelle, was of French origin and brought up in Bangalore, India. Dunant's early education was at the Godolphin and Latymer School, which emphasized grammar studies. After completing her schooling, she was accepted into Newnham College, Cambridge, where she studied history and became involved in theatre and footlights.
Dunant is married and has two grown-up daughters. She spends her time living in both London and Italy, with the former being her home and the latter her workplace. She is a cultural commentator and has written five novels set in Renaissance Italy, which explore women's lives through art, sex, and religion. Her monthly history program and podcast on history can be found on the BBC website.
In addition to her work as a novelist, Dunant is also known for her thriller series, the Hannah Wolfe mysteries, which has received critical acclaim. She has also worked as a television host in the United Kingdom. Dunant's writing is highly respected in the UK and beyond, and she continues to be a significant voice in the literary world.