Background
Lee was born in County Limerick, Ireland in 1933. Her mother died of tuberculosis when Lee was six. Her father was a butcher, and sent Lee and her sisters Kaye and Mary to convent school while he kept the sons at home.
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Philomena Lee
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After Lee completed her formal education at the convent, she went to live with her maternal aunt, Kitty Madden.
Career
The book was made into a film titled Philomena in 2013, which was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Lead Actress for Judi Dench"s portrayal of Philomena, and Best Picture. Lee is now an advocate and spokesperson for adoption rights. Lee has created The Philomena Project in order to raise awareness about adoption laws and ways to improve them.
Lee became pregnant at age 18 at a local carnival by a man named John who worked for the post office.
She was then sent to the Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea, a place for unwed mothers. As was common practice in Ireland at the time, the church sold him to a Catholic family in the United States.
She eventually left the Abbey and moved to England.
