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— CH. 1 · FROM DISNEY TO THE MAGDALENE —

Kathleen McGowan

~3 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
5 sections
  • Kathleen McGowan was born on the 22nd of March 1963. Her first book appeared under her maiden name Kathleen Harkey-Smith in 1997. That work was titled Tragic Kingdom: Inside Michael Eisner's Disney. It explored the inner workings of a major entertainment corporation. She later changed her surname to McGowan for her literary career. This shift marked a clear break from her corporate journalism roots. The transition began when she started working on a new novel in 1989. That project would eventually become The Expected One. Self-publishing that manuscript in 2005 yielded only 2,500 copies sold. A small number compared to what followed.

  • Simon & Schuster re-published The Expected One on the 25th of July 2006. The book landed on the New York Times Best Seller list shortly after. Over one million copies have been sold worldwide since then. The story appears in more than fifty different languages. A second novel called The Book of Love arrived in 2009. It focused on Mathilda of Canossa and also reached best seller status. The third entry The Poet Prince came out in 2010. This volume centered on Lorenzo de Medici. Each book features a fictional heroine named Maureen Paschal. She searches for hidden historical truths about Christianity. Other characters include Berenger Sinclair and Tamara Wisdom. An enigmatic figure named Destino guides their journey through time.

  • McGowan claims direct lineage from Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene. This assertion sparked intense public reaction across the globe. Critics questioned the validity of her genealogical research. Some observers labeled her claims as pure fiction. Others found the idea compelling despite lacking evidence. Her background as a former Disney insider added skepticism to the mix. The narrative suggests she carries a bloodline meant to protect sacred secrets. This belief system forms the core of her novels. It also serves as the foundation for her later spiritual work. The controversy remains unresolved by mainstream historians.

  • She appeared as a presenter on History Channel programs including Ancient Aliens. McGowan also hosted Bible Secrets Revealed for H2 television. Episodes during season two and season five featured her on The Curse of Oak Island. On an episode titled Mysteries of the Bible she made a bold statement. A group of men with agendas of politics and economics decided on the texts of the bible. She argued that spirituality was excluded from those decisions. These appearances brought her theories to millions of viewers. The History Channel platform amplified her reach beyond book readers. Her presence shifted the conversation toward alternative religious history.

  • McGowan has been married three times in total life. Her first husband was Irish musician Peter McGowan. They had three children together before divorcing in 2010. She wed Philip Coppens in 2011. He died one year later in 2012. Together they produced an internet radio program called The Spirit Revolution. In March 2023 she married Egyptian mystic Nasser Abo Nazer. He is based at Abydos, Egypt. She now spends part of each year living in Luxor, Egypt. Her professional collaborations often involved her late husband Philip Coppens. Their partnership shaped much of her public output after 2011.

Common questions

When was Kathleen McGowan born and what was her first book?

Kathleen McGowan was born on the 22nd of March 1963. Her first book appeared under her maiden name Kathleen Harkey-Smith in 1997 titled Tragic Kingdom: Inside Michael Eisner's Disney.

What is The Expected One by Kathleen McGowan about and when did it become a best seller?

The Expected One by Kathleen McGowan became a New York Times Best Seller after Simon & Schuster re-published it on the 25th of July 2006. The story features a fictional heroine named Maureen Paschal who searches for hidden historical truths about Christianity with characters like Berenger Sinclair and Tamara Wisdom.

Does Kathleen McGowan claim to be descended from Jesus Christ or Mary Magdalene?

Kathleen McGowan claims direct lineage from Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene. This assertion sparked intense public reaction across the globe while critics questioned the validity of her genealogical research.

Which History Channel programs featured Kathleen McGowan as a presenter?

Kathleen McGowan appeared as a presenter on History Channel programs including Ancient Aliens and Bible Secrets Revealed for H2 television. Episodes during season two and season five also featured her on The Curse of Oak Island.

Who are the current spouses of Kathleen McGowan and where does she live now?

Kathleen McGowan married Egyptian mystic Nasser Abo Nazer in March 2023 and is based at Abydos, Egypt. She now spends part of each year living in Luxor, Egypt following her marriage to Philip Coppens who died one year later in 2012.