Esther Freud is a British novelist, best known for her autobiographical novel Hideous Kinky (1992). Born in London in 1963, she is the daughter of the famous painter Lucian Freud.

As a young child, Esther traveled through Morocco with her mother and sister, an experience that greatly influenced her writing. Upon returning to England at the age of six, she attended a Rudolf Steiner school in Sussex. In 1979, she moved to London to study drama and subsequently worked as an actress in theatre and television. She also formed her own theatre company, The Norfolk Broads, with fellow actress and writer Kitty Aldridge.

Esther Freud's first novel, Hideous Kinky, was published in 1992. It was shortlisted for the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and later adapted into a film starring Kate Winslet. In 1993, following the publication of her second novel, Peerless Flats, she was recognized by Granta as one of the Best of Young Novelists under 40.

Since then, she has authored several novels, including The Sea House. Esther Freud's work is celebrated for its rich autobiographical elements and vivid storytelling.