“Salman Rushdie dead 2026” : ‘The Satanic Verses’ author killed by internet death hoax

News of author Salman Rushdie’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the March 2026 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the author of the Satanic Verses is alive and well.

UPDATE 20/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Salman Rushdie death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the author’s alleged demise gained traction on Wednesday after a ‘R.I.P. Salman Rushdie’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Indian author’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday (March 18, 2026), our beloved author Salman Rushdie passed away. Salman Rushdie was born on June 19, 1947 in Bombay. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 78-year-old author was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Indian network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of an author of Salman Rushdie's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (80%) of respondents think those Salman Rushdie death rumors are not funny anymore.

Salman Rushdie Death Hoax Dismissed Since Author Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Thursday (March 19) the author's reps officially confirmed that Salman Rushdie is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved author. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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