As a kid who frequently changed schools, books were my refuge. Often the shy newcomer surrounded by unfamiliar faces, I would hurry home to escape into the worlds of my favorite characters, like the quirky Ramona Quimby and the charming Sally J. Freedman. But as I entered my teenage years (and, let’s be honest, when my body started changing), I discovered the fabulous Wakefield twins, Elizabeth and Jessica, from Sweet Valley High. I won’t sugarcoat it: we became inseparable BFFs for life!
Thanks to Francine Pascal and her talented team of ghostwriters, I was whisked away to the picture-perfect (read: slightly surreal) California town of Sweet Valley whenever I cracked open a book. Sure, the descriptions of the twins were as predictable as they were enchanting (think heart-shaped faces, flowing blonde hair, and sparkling blue eyes), and yes, the storylines were often absurd, but countless girls like me devoured the series. And come on, who didn’t love the cover art or have a crush on Todd Wilkins?
The series concluded with Elizabeth and Jessica stepping into their twenties, and honestly, I feel a bit robbed. I need to know if these stunning twins are now 40 and fabulous. Is Elizabeth still tight with Enid? Does Bruce Patman still have that infamous jerk vibe? Are Ned and Alice Wakefield proud grandparents? Luckily, if anyone’s looking for a ghostwriter for Sweet Valley High: 40 and Thriving, I’ve got some ideas!
Where Are They Now?
Elizabeth Wakefield is now the mastermind behind the Wakefield Weekly, a newspaper that keeps parents in the loop on all the latest trends in parenting. She’s the head of the PTA, always sporting pearls, and enjoys one perfectly mixed martini at 5 p.m. sharp—just one olive, please! Elizabeth has two kids with her husband Avi, an Israeli she met while covering international news back in her journalism days.
Jessica Wakefield, on the other hand, has a passport filled with stamps from 32 countries and her fashion empire, JW, Inc., is booming. She treats relationships like her ever-changing hairstyles, and her frantic texts to Elizabeth come from all corners of the globe. Now a chic size 2, she’s ditched her signature blonde locks for a sleek black bob and is currently on a quest for inner peace in Tibet—while playfully annoying the monks, of course.
Just a few streets away, Todd Wilkins is still nursing his high school heartbreak over Elizabeth. Now a faded basketball star, he’s married to a perfect 6 and often finds himself reminiscing about Elizabeth while nursing a Scotch on the weekends. He sees her at soccer games and wishes things had turned out differently—too bad Elizabeth has a restraining order in the works!
Enid Rollins remains Elizabeth’s best buddy and fully embraces her hippie, eco-friendly lifestyle. With six kids and a website called Rollin’ in Organic, she weaves her own cloth diapers and practices holistic yoga. Enid’s home? Let’s just say it’s a bit chaotic and has a hint of, um, herbal aroma lingering in the air.
Bruce Patman? Well, let’s just say he’s not the heartthrob he once was. He’s packed on some pounds and lost his hair by 25. Once the epitome of glam, he’s now a blackjack dealer in a local casino, driving a rusty Toyota Camry and wistfully remembering his glory days with his black Porsche.
Lila Fowler has turned into a social media sensation, riding the wave of Instagram fame with her 40 million followers. Living it up in Los Angeles, she rubs elbows with celebrities and documents her glamorous life alongside her partner, Anastasia, and their two adorable Pomeranians.
Winston Egbert struck gold with a tech startup he built from scratch, selling it for a whopping $10 billion. Married to a supermodel, he lives a humble life in Sweet Valley, only meeting up with Elizabeth for cocktails once a week—no calls from Jessica, thank you very much.
Cara Walker, who had quite the scandalous affair with Ned Wakefield back in the ‘90s, accepted his proposal after Alice kicked him out. But after cashing in on his bank account, she vanished without a trace! Ned now calls the Motel Six home and spends his days posting vague updates online.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey French stepped in to console Alice post-scandal. Together, they now run a charming B&B in Vermont, where Alice makes regular visits to Elizabeth and tolerates Ned once a year during the Wakefield Christmas gathering.
The Droids, a band that hit the charts in 1987, have found a second life at the local casino where Bruce works, playing gigs on Friday nights. Dana, the lead singer, has a soft spot for Bruce and isn’t shy about accepting his drinks—hoping for a little more than just casual conversation.
I think I’m onto something here. Francine, give me a call, okay? I’m ready to develop Sweet Valley High: The Grandparent Diaries!
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Conclusion
In summary, what a fun dive into the lives of our beloved characters from Sweet Valley High! From Elizabeth’s PTA meetings to Jessica’s jet-setting adventures, it’s clear that these twins have aged like fine wine.