'The Housemaid' Author Freida McFadden Finally Reveals Her Real Name After Using Pseudonym & Wearing a Disguise for Years

Freida McFadden, the author of the hit novel “The Housemaid,” has been using a pseudonym for her full writing career and she even wears a disguise in public to keep her true identity a secret.

While attending the red carpet premiere of The Housemaid movie last year, Freida showed up in a wig and glasses to make herself look different.

Now, she’s finally revealing her true self to the world.

Keep reading to find out more…

In an interview with USA Today, the author revealed that her real name is Sara Cohen and outside of being an author, she is also a doctor who treats brain disorders.

“I’m at a point in my career when I’m tired of this being a secret. I’m tired of people debating if I’m a real person or if I’m three men,” she said. “I am a real person and I have a real identity and I don’t have anything to hide.”

Freida left her full-time doctor job in 2023 to focus on her writing career.

“My whole goal was to keep it a secret until I was (ready to) step back from my doctor job, so it wouldn’t be like everyone I work with suddenly knew and it compromised my ability to do my job,” she said. “But I have stepped away from my job. I’m only working like once or twice a month.”

Freida still wants to go by her pen-name in the writing world.

The sequel to The Housemaid is being made into a movie and big news was revealed last week.