Louise Hay

**Louise Lynn Hay** (October 8, 1926 – August 30, 2017) was an American motivational author and the founder of Hay House. She authored several New Thought self-help books, including the 1984 book, *You Can Heal Your Life*. She was born in Los Angeles, California.

Hay died in Los Angeles of natural causes on August 30, 2017 at the age of 90.
## Early life
Hay was born Helen Vera Lunney in Los Angeles to Henry John Lunney (1901–1998) and Veronica Chwala (1894–1985). In a May 2008 interview with Mark Oppenheimer of *The New York Times,* Hay described her life.

Hay started practicing Religious Science in the early 1970s. She became well-known as a workshop leader while leading people in spoken affirmations that she thought would heal their ailments.  At Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa, she also learnt Transcendental Meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Hay wrote and self-published her first book, *Heal Your Body*, in 1976. It started out as a little pamphlet with a list of various medical illnesses and their "probable" metaphysical roots. It ranked fourth on *The New York Times* paperback advice bestsellers list in February 2008.

She started "Hay Rides" at about the same time, organising support groups for those with HIV/AIDS. and it has been turned into a film as well. *You Can Heal Your Life* is also a part of the book *50 Self-Help Classics* because it was significant in its field. It is frequently referred to as a component of the New Age movement.

According to Hay, it had "... sold more than thirty-five million copies". 2011 saw the announcement that *You Can Heal Your Life* has sold 40 million copies. Refer to page 225 of her book (printed in December 2008).
## Publishing house
Hay founded the publishing company Hay House in 1984. Reid Tracy began working for the company in 1988 as an accountant before rising to the position of CEO. The company prospered and drew a variety of authors.  More than 130 writers, including Deepak Chopra and numerous works by Wayne Dyer, have their books and audiobooks published by Hay House. The teachings of "Abraham" as conveyed by Esther Hicks are also published by Hay House.

## Legacy
Hay managed her publishing business as well as the Hay Foundation, a nonprofit that she established in 1985. Its goal is to create futures and assist groups that improve the lives of people, animals, and the environment.

*You Can Heal Your Life,* a film based on Louise Hay's life, was released in 2008.  On the official website of the movie, Hay states: "This movie is the story of my life, my teachings, and how I've applied the principles of my teachings to my own life." The film was directed by Emmy Award-winning director Michael A. Goorjian; it also includes prominent speakers and writers in the field of personal development, such as Gregg Braden, Wayne Dyer, Gay Hendricks, Esther and Jerry Hicks, and Doreen Virtue. 

Louise Hay received a Minerva Award at The Women's Conference that same year.

Hay and Cheryl Richardson's book *You Can Create An Exceptional Life* was published in September 2011.

Built completely from archival footage, the 2021 documentary film *Another Hayride* is narrated by writer/minister David Ault and examines how, in the 1980s Los Angeles, Louise taught hundreds of gay men with AIDS how to love themselves.

## References
## Other websites
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