15 Facts About Matthew Reilly

Matthew John Reilly was born on 2 July 1974 and is an internationally bestselling Australian action thriller writer.

Matthew Reilly grew up with his brother Stephen in Willoughby, an affluent suburb on the lower North Shore of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Matthew Reilly graduated from Sydney's St Aloysius' College in Milsons Point, in 1992.

Matthew Reilly then studied Law at the University of New South Wales between 1993 and 1997, graduating 31st out of 250 students.

Matthew Reilly wrote his first book, Contest, at the age of 19, and self-published it in 1996.

Matthew Reilly was discovered when Cate Paterson, a commissioning editor from Pan Macmillan, found a self-published copy of Contest in a bookstore.

Matthew Reilly wrote his second book, Ice Station, while studying at the University of New South Wales.

Matthew Reilly has since sold over 8 million copies of his books worldwide, in over 20 languages.

Three more of Matthew Reilly's books have been the biggest-selling Australian titles of their years of release: Seven Ancient Wonders, The Five Greatest Warriors and The Tournament.

In 2007, Matthew Reilly wrote a half-hour television script titled Literary Superstars.

Matthew Reilly collaborated with screenwriter Stuart Beattie whose efforts included partially rewriting but introducing Matthew Reilly's work to several producers and other film people in Los Angeles.

In early December 2011, while Matthew Reilly was in South Australia on a book tour promoting Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves, Natalie, who had suffered from anorexia and depression, died by suicide.

Matthew Reilly subsequently cancelled his remaining book tours and announced on Facebook his intention to take a break from online communications.

Matthew Reilly owns several movie prop reproductions such as a life-size statue of Han Solo frozen in carbonite from Star Wars, a golden idol from Raiders of the Lost Ark, and a DeLorean from Back to the Future.

Matthew Reilly has been in a relationship with Kate Freeman, and in 2015 he moved with her to Los Angeles, California.