13 things you probably didn't know about Julia Child

Erin McDowellAug 15, 2020, 20:23 IST

Julia Child has been credited with inspiring millions of American home cooks to experiment with French cooking.John Dominis/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

Julia Child was born on August 15, 1912, in Pasadena, California.
She was known for her effervescent personality, down-to-earth cooking style, and for being one of the first celebrity chefs.
She was also the first woman inducted into the Culinary Institute of America's Hall of Fame and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003 from President George W. Bush.

Julia Child was one of the most acclaimed TV chefs of her time — despite not getting into cooking until her late 30s, she starred in eight television cooking series and published 11 cookbooks throughout her 40-year-long career.

Known for her cheery demeanor and unique voice, the chef brought French cuisine into millions of American households with her first book, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," and TV show "The French Chef," which ran for 10 years.

Here are 13 things you probably didn't know about Julia Child, in honor of what would have been the chef's 108th birthday.

Julia Child had multiple nicknames growing up, including "Juke," "Juju" and "Jukies."

Julia Child holding up a finished dessert. Walt Disney Television/Getty Images

Julia Child was over 6 feet tall.

Julia Child cooking with chefs. Walt Disney Television/Getty Images

Growing up, Child wanted to be a writer, not a chef.

Julia Child prepares scallops in her kitchen in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Ulrike Welsch/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

Julia Child later worked as a central intelligence assistant during World War II and developed a shark repellant used in war.

Julia Child. Jon Chase/Associated Press

Julia Child fell in love with food late in life.

Julia Child chopping squash as her husband, Paul photographs her for an upcoming cookbook. Lee Lockwood/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

In 1950, Julia Child attended the world-famous Le Cordon Bleu cooking school.

Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris, France. Mark Kauffman/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

It took Child nine years to finish her first — and most famous — cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking."

Julia Child's cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." Cyrus McCrimmon/The Denver Post/Getty Images

The first dish Julia Child cooked on screen was an omelet.

Julia Child holding up a frying pan and eggs. Walt Disney Television/Getty Images

Julia Child's signature dishes include beef bourguignon, French onion soup, and coq au vin.

Beef bourguignon. Unsplash/Yvonne Lee Harijanto

Child famously loved butter — during the filming of her "Baking with Julia" series, she used a total of 753 pounds of butter in her dishes.

Butter. lutavia/Getty Images

Julia Child was the first woman inducted into the Culinary Institute of America's Hall of Fame in 1993.

Julia Child. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images

President George W. Bush presented Julia Child with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003.

Medals won by chef Julia Childs are displayed at COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food, and the Arts. Paul Mounce/Corbis/Getty Images

Julia Child's last meal before she passed away was homemade French onion soup.

Julia Child. Lee Lockwood/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

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