Anna Woltz
A Dutch author who captures the raw, complex emotions of young people with unflinching honesty and literary grace.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Dutch writer·Birthday: December 29·Millennials
Biography
Born in London but raised in The Hague, Anna Woltz published her first newspaper column at age twelve, a hint of the sharp observational skills to come. She studied history at Leiden University, a discipline that informs the textured backdrops of her novels. Woltz didn't set out to write for children, but found her voice in the young adult space, crafting stories where contemporary issues—grief, illness, first love, family fracture—are handled without condescension. Her prose is direct yet poetic, earning her a dedicated readership and critical respect across Europe. She has a particular talent for weaving subtle historical threads into modern narratives, making the past feel immediate and personal. Woltz's work demonstrates that books for younger readers can carry profound emotional weight and literary sophistication.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Anna was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anna Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Anna's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Gouden Griffel, one of the Netherlands' highest honors for children's literature, for her novel 'Gips'.
- Her book 'Mijn bijzonder rare week met Tess' was adapted into a successful Dutch feature film.
- Her work has been translated into more than twenty languages, reaching a global audience.
- Received the prestigious Nienke van Hichtum prize for her body of work aimed at young adults.
Did You Know?
She once cycled from the Netherlands to Istanbul, a journey that took several months.
Her father is the well-known Dutch journalist and television presenter Frits Woltz.
She wrote her first children's book, 'Alles kookt over', while still a university student.
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