Rebecca Yarros is a bestselling American author known for her fantasy romance novels, particularly the Empyrean series featuring Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. She is married to retired U.S. Army veteran Jason Yarros and is the mother of six children. As an Army spouse and the daughter of military officers, Rebecca has woven her personal experiences into compelling narratives that have captivated millions of readers worldwide.
Quick Wiki/Bio About Rebecca Yarros
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Rebecca Elizabeth Yarros |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | April 13, 1981 |
| Age | 44 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Current residence | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac sign | Aries |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Weight | 135 lbs (61 kg) |
| Hair colour | Brown |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Jason Yarros (married May 18, 2002) |
| Children | Six (names not publicly disclosed) |
| Alma mater | Troy University |
| Profession | Author, philanthropist |
| Net worth | $6 million (estimated as of 2026) |
Who is Rebecca Yarros?
Rebecca Yarros is a 44-year-old American author who has become one of the most celebrated voices in romantasy fiction.
Born on April 13, 1981, in Washington, D.C., she grew up in a military family before marrying into one.
Her breakthrough came with the 2023 release of Fourth Wing, the first book in her Empyrean series, which became a global phenomenon and dominated bestseller lists.
Rebecca’s writing journey spans over a decade, with more than 20 published novels across multiple genres.
Before achieving mainstream success with Fourth Wing, she built a devoted following through her contemporary military romance series, including Flight & Glory and The Raven.
Her unique perspective as a military spouse and her personal experience with chronic illness bring authenticity to her characters.
The author currently resides in Colorado Springs with her husband Jason, their six children, two English bulldogs, two chinchillas, and two cats.
She serves as president of One October, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children in the foster care system.
How old is Rebecca Yarros? Age and birthday
Rebecca Yarros is 44 years old as of January 2026. She was born on April 13, 1981, in Washington, D.C., making her zodiac sign Aries.
The author celebrated her birthday earlier this year with fans across social media platforms, expressing gratitude for the remarkable journey her writing career has taken.
Rebecca Yarros’ height, weight, and physical appearance
Rebecca Yarros stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall and weighs around 135 pounds (61 kg). She has brown hair and brown eyes.
While she maintains a relatively private personal life, Rebecca has been open about living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a connective tissue disorder that affects her daily life.
Her experience with this invisible disability inspired the character Violet Sorrengail in Fourth Wing, who shares the same condition.
Rebecca Yarros’ early life and education
Rebecca grew up as a military brat, moving frequently as the daughter of two U.S. Army lieutenant colonels. Her grandfather retired as a general, establishing a strong military lineage in her family.
This upbringing exposed her to different communities and cultures while instilling values of service and resilience.
She initially attended the University of Colorado on a vocal scholarship. After getting married and starting a family at a young age, Rebecca left traditional college to focus on her growing household.
Years later, while her husband deployed overseas, she completed her education online through Troy University, earning degrees in European history and English in 2008 at age 29. By graduation, she was already raising five children.
Rebecca Yarros’ career
Early writing career
Rebecca began writing in 2003 during her husband’s deployment to Afghanistan. Facing the uncertainty and loneliness of military life, she turned to storytelling as an outlet.
Her debut novel, Full Measures, was published on February 10, 2014, launching the Flight & Glory series. This military romance series drew directly from her experiences as an Army spouse.
Between 2014 and 2023, Rebecca published over 20 novels, primarily in contemporary romance. Her works included The Raven series, standalone titles like The Last Letter and The Things We Leave Unfinished, and various military-themed romances.
While these books garnered critical praise and a dedicated readership, they remained within niche romance circles.
Breakthrough with Fourth Wing
Everything changed on May 2, 2023, when Rebecca released Fourth Wing, her first venture into fantasy romance. The novel tells the story of Violet Sorrengail, a fragile war college student who must survive dragon rider training.
The book combined Rebecca’s signature emotional depth with high-stakes fantasy worldbuilding, creating what readers dubbed “romantasy.”
Fourth Wing became an instant phenomenon. It topped the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.
The book went viral on BookTok and BookTube, with readers praising its complex characters, intense romance, and shocking plot twists. By the end of 2023, Fourth Wing had sold over 5 million copies.
The Empyrean series success
Rebecca followed up with Iron Flame on November 7, 2023. The second Empyrean book sold 1.4 million copies in its first week, setting publishing records. Fans praised the expanded worldbuilding and deeper character development.
On January 21, 2025, Onyx Storm, the third installment, shattered all previous records. It sold 2.7 million copies in its first week, becoming the fastest-selling adult novel in history.
The book featured 815 pages of intense dragon warfare, political intrigue, and romantic tension. As of January 2026, the Empyrean series has sold over 12 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 40 languages.
The series is planned as a five-book saga, with books four and five still in development. Rebecca has stated she needs time between Empyrean installments to maintain quality and avoid burnout.
Return to contemporary romance
In November 2024, Rebecca released Variation, returning to her contemporary romance roots. The standalone novel follows a celebrated dancer who returns home and reconnects with a Coast Guard rescue swimmer.
Variation debuted at number one on multiple bestseller lists, proving Rebecca’s versatility across genres.
Television adaptations
In October 2023, Amazon MGM Studios announced a television adaptation of Fourth Wing. The series will be produced in partnership with Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society production company.
In September 2025, the project brought on showrunner Meredith Averill, known for her work on Wednesday and The Haunting of Hill House. Rebecca serves as a non-writing executive producer.
Three other Rebecca Yarros novels are also in development for film and television adaptations, signaling Hollywood’s confidence in her storytelling.
Awards and recognition
Rebecca has received numerous accolades, including:
- Winner of the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence
- Goodreads Choice Award nominee multiple times
- Named to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People (2024)
- Featured at the National Book Festival (2024, 2025)
What is Rebecca Yarros’ net worth and salary?
As of January 2026, Rebecca Yarros’ net worth is estimated at $6 million. Her wealth comes primarily from book sales, with the Empyrean series alone generating over $50 million in revenue.
Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm remained on bestseller lists for over two years combined, with each installment selling millions of copies at prices ranging from $18.99 to $32.99.
Rebecca earns royalties from her publisher, Entangled Publishing and Red Tower Books, at an estimated rate of 10-15% per hardcover book and 25% on digital sales. With over 12 million Empyrean books sold, her earnings from this series alone exceed $5 million.
Additional income streams include:
- Amazon Kindle Unlimited: Subscription-based reading generates per-page royalties
- Audiobook sales: Narrated by Rebecca Soler and Teddy Hamilton, the audiobooks generate separate royalty income
- Television deals: The Amazon adaptation deal reportedly included a seven-figure payment
- Speaking engagements: Rebecca commands fees between $10,000-$25,000 per appearance
- Merchandise: Limited edition book sets and branded merchandise sold through her website
Her annual salary varies based on release schedules. In 2025, with the release of Onyx Storm, her estimated earnings exceeded $3 million.
Is Rebecca Yarros married? Husband, dating history, and relationship status
Rebecca Yarros is married to Jason Yarros. The couple met in 2000 at a karaoke bar in Colorado when Rebecca was 19 and Jason was serving in the U.S. Army.
Jason wanted to sing “Wild is the Wind” by Garth Brooks that night. When Rebecca learned the next day that Jason had his wisdom teeth removed, she brought him ice cream. She was immediately smitten.
Marriage and military life
Jason and Rebecca Yarros married on May 18, 2002, when Rebecca was 21. Many people doubted the young couple’s chances of success, given their age and Jason’s dangerous career as an Apache helicopter pilot.
On their 22nd wedding anniversary in May 2024, Rebecca shared on Instagram that guests at their wedding had placed bets against them lasting.
Jason served 22 years in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3. He completed five combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
During his first deployment in 2003, Jason was seriously wounded but survived and chose to continue serving.
Rebecca wrote an emotional open letter in 2019 when the Army offered Jason a $105,000 reenlistment bonus, ultimately turning it down after two decades of sacrifice.
Jason retired from active duty in 2019. The transition to civilian life proved challenging for the family after so many years of military structure.
Rebecca has spoken about how Jason’s retirement allowed them to finally settle in one place and build a more stable home life.
Relationship dynamics
Rebecca frequently credits Jason as the inspiration for the romantic heroes in her books. She has stated that Xaden Riorson from Fourth Wing and all her male protagonists carry elements of Jason’s personality, loyalty, and protectiveness.
In a 2025 interview with Jenna Bush Hager, Rebecca described Jason as her rock and support system.
The couple celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary on May 18, 2025, with a dinner in Paris. As of January 2026, Rebecca and Jason remain happily married with no previous divorces or dating history before their relationship.
Rebecca Yarros’ children
Rebecca and Jason Yarros have six children. The couple raised their family while Jason served in the military, moving between duty stations and managing multiple combat deployments. Rebecca has been deliberately private about her children’s names and specific ages to protect their privacy.
What is publicly known:
- Their oldest child, a son, turned 20 years old in March 2023
- Their youngest daughter was fostered and later adopted. She is nonverbal and on the autism spectrum
- Their oldest daughter is 16 years older than the youngest, with Rebecca describing them as her “bookends”
- Rebecca has stated that neither of her daughters shares her biological genes, but both carry her heart
- Several of her sons have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, the same connective tissue disorder Rebecca lives with
- As of 2026, the children range in age from early childhood to young adulthood
Rebecca has spoken about the challenges and rewards of parenting children with diverse needs. Her experience as a foster and adoptive parent inspired her to co-found One October, a nonprofit that provides essential items like clothing, shoes, and school supplies to children entering foster care.
Rebecca Yarros’ health and disability
Rebecca Yarros lives with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), a genetic connective tissue disorder.
The condition affects the body’s collagen production, leading to joint instability, chronic pain, easy bruising, and other complications. Several of her sons have also inherited the condition.
Rebecca was diagnosed with EDS as an adult. She has described living with an invisible disability as both isolating and empowering.
The condition affects her daily life, requiring careful management of physical activity and frequent dislocations. Writing while managing chronic pain presents ongoing challenges.
Her decision to create Violet Sorrengail, the protagonist of Fourth Wing, with the same condition was deeply personal.
Violet’s fragility in a world that values strength resonated with readers, many of whom have invisible disabilities themselves.
Rebecca has received thousands of messages from fans who felt seen and represented through Violet’s journey.
She has become an advocate for disability representation in fiction, speaking openly about the importance of showing disabled characters as complex, capable heroes rather than inspirational figures or tragic victims.
Rebecca Yarros’ nonprofit work
Rebecca and Jason Yarros co-founded One October, Inc., a nonprofit organization supporting children in the foster care system. The organization was inspired by their experience fostering and adopting their youngest daughter.
One October works with child placement agencies and foster parents to provide essentials that children often lack when they enter care. Many children arrive at foster homes with only the clothes they’re wearing. One October supplies:
- Clothing appropriate for all seasons
- Shoes and winter gear
- School supplies and backpacks
- Hygiene products
- Comfort items like blankets and stuffed animals
Rebecca serves as president of One October and actively promotes the organization through her social media platforms. She has used her growing platform to raise awareness about the needs of foster children and has donated portions of her book proceeds to the cause.
Rebecca Yarros’ social media presence
As of January 2026, Rebecca Yarros has over 1.8 million followers on Instagram (@rebeccayarros), where she shares updates about her books, family life, and advocacy work.
Her Instagram bio describes her as “#1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Pres of @oneoctoberorg nonprofit for kids in foster care, Hockey mom, #adhd, & #ehlersdanlos #spoonie.”
Rebecca also maintains an active presence on Facebook with over 482,000 followers on her author page. She uses TikTok sporadically for book promotions and reader interactions.
Her official website, rebeccayarros.com, features book information, bonus content, event schedules, and links to purchase her novels.
Rebecca took a brief social media break in late 2025 to focus on writing and family time. She has been transparent about the challenges of managing online harassment and the pressure of constant public engagement. Her posts tend to focus on book releases, family milestones, and mental health advocacy.
Fast facts about Rebecca Yarros
- Rebecca used to work as a cake decorator before becoming a full-time author, creating custom wedding and specialty cakes.
- She published her first novel at age 32 after a decade of rejection letters from literary agents.
- Rebecca wrote Fourth Wing in approximately four months during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The dragons in the Empyrean series are based on Rebecca’s research into various mythological creatures combined with her interpretation of intelligent, bonded companions.
- She attended the University of Colorado on a vocal scholarship before dropping out to start a family.
- Rebecca has moved over 15 times due to military relocations throughout her marriage.
- Her favorite authors include Nora Roberts, J.R. Ward, and Kristen Ashley, all of whom influenced her romance writing style.
- The dedication in Onyx Storm reads “For Jason, my favorite plot twist,” reflecting her 23-year marriage.
- Rebecca has stated in interviews that she drinks 4-6 cups of coffee daily while writing.
- She is a passionate hockey mom, regularly attending her children’s games and tournaments across Colorado.
Read more: Who is Kacey Montoya? Age, height, net worth, husband, career
Wrapping up
Rebecca Yarros has transformed from a military spouse writing during deployments into one of the most successful authors of the 2020s.
Her Empyrean series redefined the romantasy genre, while her personal story of perseverance, disability advocacy, and dedication to foster care continues to inspire millions.
As of January 2026, Rebecca is working on a new contemporary romance before returning to complete the final two Empyrean books, cementing her legacy as a powerhouse storyteller.
References
- Britannica. “Rebecca Yarros | Books, Husband, Fourth Wing Series, Kids, & Facts”.
- Wikipedia. “Rebecca Yarros”.
- Rebecca Yarros Official Website. “About — Rebecca Yarros | #1 NYT Bestselling Author”.
- The Knot. “Rebecca Yarros’ Real-Life Love Story Is Better Than Her Books”.
- Military Families Magazine. “From battlefields to bestsellers: Author Rebecca Yarros shares her journey as an Army spouse”.
- People Magazine. “How Romance Author Rebecca Yarros’ Husband Shows Up in Her Books”.
- TUKO.co.ke. “Rebecca Yarros’ net worth from book sales, royalties & more revealed”.
- The New York Times. “Rebecca Yarros’s ‘Onyx Storm’ Is the Fastest-Selling Adult Novel in History”.
- One October Official Website. “Our Story – oneoctober.org”.
- EDS Clinic. “Rebecca Yarros, Violet, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in Fourth Wing”.
- Variety. “‘Fourth Wing’ TV Series New Showrunner: Meredith Averill”.
- Goodreads. “The Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros”.
Disclaimer: The information on Megapicsly.com is collected from trusted sources. However, we do not guarantee accuracy or completeness of celebrity profiles, net worth estimates, or biographical data. Readers should verify information independently. For corrections or inquiries, contact us at info@megapicsly.com.
