Financial Struggle Coupled with Alcoholism

By 1936, F. Scott Fitzgerald found himself in dire financial straits, with book royalties amounting to a mere $80. The extravagant lifestyle he had cultivated, coupled with the mounting medical expenses for his wife, Zelda, led to a precarious financial situation that left him in constant debt. To manage these financial burdens, Fitzgerald relied heavily on loans from his literary agent, Harold Ober, and his publisher, Perkins. However, when Ober decided to stop advancing money, Fitzgerald felt a deep sense of shame and believed that his agent had lost faith in him, primarily due to his struggles with alcoholism. This belief prompted Fitzgerald to sever ties with Ober, marking a significant turning point in his professional relationships and personal life. The combination of financial struggles and health issues not only affected Fitzgerald's writing career but also contributed to the tragic decline of his personal life during this tumultuous period. In September 1936, journalist Michel Mok of the New York Post publicly reported Fitzgerald's alcoholism and career failure in a nationally syndicated article. The article damaged Fitzgerald's reputation and prompted him to attempt suicide after reading it. #Mooflife #MomentOfLife #F.ScottFitzgerald #FinancialStruggles #ZeldaFitzgerald #Alcoholism #LiteraryHistory