Taylor Swift & Princess Diana Inspire Emily Henry’s New Novel

How Taylor Swift, Princess Diana, and the Kennedys Inspired Emily Henry’s New Book

Author Emily Henry has just released her new novel Great Big Beautiful Life. In the book, she took inspiration from several real-life people—like Taylor Swift, Princess Diana, and the famous Kennedy family.

The story follows two writers, Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson, who are both trying to become the official biographer of a mysterious media heiress named Margaret Ives. Margaret was once a big name in gossip magazines, and she holds the power to change both of their lives. The book also explores over 100 years of her family’s dramatic history.

What Inspired Margaret Ives?

In an interview with E! News, Emily Henry shared how she created the character of Margaret. She said it was tough but fun.

“I wanted to write about a woman who’s part of a famous family, someone the public only knows through gossip,” Henry explained.

One major inspiration for Margaret was Rebekah Harkness, a socialite whose life is told in Taylor Swift’s song “The Last Great American Dynasty.” Henry said that Taylor’s storytelling really helped her while writing.

“I love that song and the story behind it,” she said. “Sometimes I find myself reading about Rebekah again on Wikipedia.”

Although Rebekah wasn’t the main inspiration, Henry said she loves stories about rich families that carry both power and pain, especially when that legacy passes from one generation to the next.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Emily Henry (@emilyhenrywrites)

More Influences: Princess Diana and the Kennedys

Henry also said Princess Diana and the Kennedy family influenced the book emotionally.
She felt that Diana’s very public life and her tragic death still touch people deeply.

“It was so sad and unfair. It still feels important today,” Henry shared.

She also spoke about how the Kennedys faced tragic events, especially involving airplanes. These events made her think about how family trauma and history can shape people for years to come.

Fictional Story, Real-Life Inspiration

Even though the Ives family in the book is completely made-up, Henry admitted she was inspired by real media dynasties like the Hearsts, Pulitzers, and Murdochs.
She noted that while these families are more private today, they still attract a lot of public attention.

Henry also got ideas from modern media shows like Succession, which is loosely based on the Murdoch family.

“I didn’t copy any one family,” she said. “I used pieces from many to create a family with a strong sense of history.”

Also Read: Taylor Swift Tour 2026: Kentucky Gala Mishap Sparks New Tour Rumors