Spiritual psychologist, writer, and lecturer Marianne Williamson (1952–) was born on this day in Houston, Texas. Her breakout book, A Return to Love (1996), spent 35 weeks on the bestseller list and sparked global transformation.

“The purpose of our lives is to give birth to the best which is within us,” she once said.

Drawing from the teachings of A Course In Miracles, she championed peace, healing, and love. Prayer, she believed, was a practical way to create a more abundant, joyful life. “Through prayer we find what we cannot find elsewhere: a peace that is not of this world.”

Record executive David Geffen praised her voice of unity: “People are alienated from their families, from religions, and she's found a way to bring them together.”

“Just as a sunbeam can't separate itself from the sun and a wave can't separate itself from the ocean,” Williamson said, “we can't separate ourselves from one another. We are all part of a vast sea of love—one indivisible divine mind.”