Julia Child was an American chef, novelist, and television personality who died in 2004 with a net worth of $50 million (adjusted for inflation). Her first cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” was released in 1961 and is credited with popularizing French food in America. She went on to create 16 other cookbooks as well as the memoir “My Life in France,” which was published posthumously in 2006.

Julia appeared on a variety of television shows, including the Emmy-winning “The French Chef” (1963-1973), “In Julia’s Kitchen with Master Chefs” (1995-1996), and “Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home” (1999-2000). Child was played by Meryl Streep in Nora Ephron’s 2009 film “Julie & Julia.”

How did Julia Child die?

Julia Child died two days before her 92nd birthday on August 13, 2004. She died at 2:50 a.m. at her residence in Montecito, California, at an assisted living complex. “She passed away in her sleep,” claimed Julia Child’s niece, Philadelphia Cousins, at the time. “She was surrounded by family and friends, as well as her kitten, Minou.” Around the house, she had cookbooks and various artwork by her husband Paul.”

Following Child’s death, Nicholas Latimer, director of publicity for Child’s publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, also made a statement. “America has lost a true national treasure,” he stated back then. “She will be missed terribly.”

Child’s death came after decades of professional accomplishment. She was honored with a Peabody medal in 1965. She received an Emmy the following year for her work on The French Chef. Child and her husband even built a country house in Provence, France, with earnings from the sales of her iconic book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. In 1966, they spent Christmas at the property, La Pitchoune. They would spend the next several decades escaping to France to relax and work.

“How fortunate we are at this moment in our lives! Each doing what he most wants, in a marvelously adapted place, close to each other, superbly fed and housed, with excellent health, and few interruptions,” Paul once said to his brother

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