Trevor Żahra Biography: Net Worth, Wife, Age, Children, Books, Education, Awards, Facebook

Trevor Żahra is a prominent Maltese author and illustrator who gained widespread recognition for his significant contributions to Maltese literature and the arts.

He first achieved substantial fame following the publication of his debut children’s adventure novel, Il-Pulena tad-Deheb, in 1971.

His rise to prominence was further solidified by his dual talent as both a writer and an illustrator, allowing him to create visually integrated stories that resonated deeply with younger audiences.

Over several decades, he became a central figure in Malta’s literary landscape, known for producing a vast array of works ranging from children’s fiction and educational textbooks to sophisticated adult novels and theatrical plays.

Profile

• Full names: Trevor Żahra
• Date of birth: December 16, 1947
• Age: 78 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Żejtun, Malta
• Nationality: Maltese
• Profession: Author, Illustrator, and Former Teacher
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Grey
• Parents: Walter Żahra and Ġuża Żahra
• Siblings: Three siblings
• Spouse: Stella Agius (married 1971; died 1989)
• Children: Ruben Żahra and Marija Żahra
• Relationship status: In a relationship
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Ethnicity: Maltese
• Net worth: $1.5 million

Early Life and education

Trevor Żahra is now at the age of 78 and was born on December 16, 1947.

He was raised in the town of Żejtun, Malta, by his parents, Walter and Ġuża Żahra.

He was the third child in a family of four siblings.

His upbringing in Żejtun, a town rich in Maltese tradition, influenced much of the setting and cultural tone of his later writing.

He attended the College of Teachers in 1966, where he completed a two-year course.

He graduated in 1968, majoring in Maltese and Art education, which provided the foundation for his long career in the classroom and his artistic pursuits in publishing.

Personal Life

Trevor Żahra married Stella Agius in 1971.

The couple shared a life together in Malta until Stella’s untimely death in 1989.

Following the passing of his wife, Żahra channelled his grief into his writing, most notably in the memoir Stella, Jien u Hu.

He has two children from this marriage, Ruben Żahra, who is a well-known composer and multimedia artist, and Marija Żahra.

For many years, Trevor remained a widower, focusing on his creative output and his family.

In more recent years, he has been in a relationship with Catherine Gusman.

He currently resides in Marsaskala.

Career

Trevor Żahra’s career began in the education sector, where he served as a school teacher for 33 years, teaching art and the Maltese language in government secondary schools.

His literary career launched in 1971 with the publication of Il-Pulena tad-Deheb.

Since then, he has published over 130 books, becoming Malta’s most published author.

His work is unique because he illustrates all of his children’s books himself, blending visual art with narrative.

Beyond fiction, he has written widely for the theatre, with plays such as Is-Surmast receiving critical acclaim.

His adult fiction, particularly Il-Ħajja Sigrieta tan-Nanna Ġenoveffa, has been translated into several languages, including English, French, and Russian.

He also contributed to Maltese philately by designing a set of EUROPA stamps for MaltaPost in 2001.

Awards

• Malta National Book Prize (Won 20 times across various years)
• Medal for Service to the Republic (2004)
• Malta Society of Arts Gold Medal (2012)
• L-Akkademja tal-Malti Gold Medal (2018)
• National Book Prize Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)

Net worth

Trevor Żahra has a net worth estimated at $1.5 million.

He accumulated this wealth primarily through his prolific output as an author and illustrator, with over 130 published titles generating consistent royalties and sales.

Social Media

• N/A

Filmography

• Is-Surmast (2016)

Books

• Il-Pulena tad-Deheb (1971)
• Il-Ħajja Sigrieta tan-Nanna Ġenoveffa (2001)
• Stella, Jien u Hu (1990)
• Qrempuċu (1985)
• Seksieku (1998)
• Lubien (2005)
• Vespri (2015)
• Provenz (2013)
• 365 (2002)
• Sepia (2006)
• Il-Ġenn li Jżommok San (2017)
• Penumbra (2011)
• Xandru l-Kalligrafu (2014)
• Senatru (2019)