Who Is Susan Cohan? The Story of the Woman Who Raised Walking Dead Star Lauren Cohan

Behind every famous person, there is often a quiet parent who helped make it all happen. For Walking Dead star Lauren Cohan, that person is her mother, Susan Cohan.

Most people know Lauren Cohan as Maggie from The Walking Dead. She is one of the most loved actresses on TV today. But very few people know about her mother, Susan Cohan. Susan is a woman who likes to stay away from cameras. She does not give interviews. She does not walk the red carpet. But her life story is very interesting.

Susan Cohan played a big part in shaping Lauren into the strong and talented woman she is today. From moving across countries to starting a new life after divorce, Susan’s choices changed Lauren’s future forever.

Susan Cohan’s Early Life in Scotland

Susan Cohan was born in Scotland, United Kingdom. Some reports say she grew up in the area of Newton Mearns, near Glasgow. She had a traditional British childhood. Family and education were important in her life from the start.

Growing up in Scotland gave Susan strong values. She learned the importance of hard work, family, and staying true to yourself. These values later helped her raise Lauren and her other children.

Not much is known about Susan’s parents or her early education. She has always kept her personal life very private. But we do know that she later moved to the United States, and that is where her life changed in many ways.

Her First Marriage to Paul Storholm

Susan moved to America and married a man named Paul Storholm. Paul was an American man with English, Irish, and Norwegian roots. He worked in the home loan business.

The couple lived in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. On January 7, 1982, they had a daughter named Lauren Storholm. Yes, Lauren Cohan’s real last name at birth was Storholm, not Cohan.

Sadly, the marriage did not last. Susan and Paul got divorced when Lauren was still very young. After the divorce, Paul later married again and had two more children. He kept a low profile, much like Susan.

The divorce was a hard time for the family. But Susan was strong. She took care of her daughter and kept moving forward.

Susan’s Second Marriage and a New Name

When Lauren was about seven years old, Susan got married again. Her second husband was a Jewish man. After this marriage, Susan and her family took the last name Cohan.

This is how Lauren Storholm became Lauren Cohan. Lauren legally changed her last name to match her stepfather’s name. This new name would later become famous around the world.

A New Faith and Culture

After marrying her second husband, Susan converted to Judaism. Lauren also converted and had a Bat Mitzvah ceremony, which is a special event in Jewish tradition for young girls.

Lauren has spoken kindly about this experience. She has said that her mother helped her feel close to Jewish culture and traditions. This shows how much Susan’s choices shaped her daughter’s life and way of thinking.

Susan had more children after her second marriage. Lauren has five half-siblings from her mother’s side. Three of them are known to the public. Alia Cohan-Finnerty works as an account supervisor. Daniel Cohan is a British chef who lives in San Francisco. Sabrina Faith Cohan lives in London and works at a travel company.

Moving to England: A Big Change

When Lauren was thirteen years old, Susan made an important decision. She moved the family from America to the United Kingdom. They settled in Surrey, England.

This was a big change for young Lauren. She left her American life behind and started fresh in a new country. But this move turned out to be very good for her future.

In England, Lauren grew up around British culture and art. She became interested in acting and storytelling. Susan supported this interest fully. She encouraged Lauren to follow her love for drama and reading.

Supporting Lauren’s Love for Acting

Lauren went to the University of Winchester in England. There, she studied English Literature and Drama. During her time at university, she co-founded a theater group.

Many sources say that Susan inspired Lauren to start this theater group. Susan could see that her daughter had real talent. Instead of pushing her toward a “safe” job, Susan let Lauren follow her heart. This was a brave and loving choice.

Without this support from her mother, Lauren may have never started acting. And we might never have seen her play the brave Maggie in The Walking Dead.

Susan Cohan’s Own Career: Landscape Design

Susan is not just a famous mother. She has her own successful career. She is an award-winning landscape designer. She runs a design studio and creates beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces.

Quick Facts About Susan Cohan

Born in: Scotland, United Kingdom

Lives in: Boonton, New Jersey, USA

Job: Award-Winning Landscape Designer

Famous for: Being Lauren Cohan’s mother

Children: Lauren Cohan and five other children

Net worth (estimated): $300,000 to $700,000

In 2021, Susan was named Designer of the Year by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. This is a very big honor in her field. She works on both small garden projects and large country estates.

Susan loves nature, travel, and her pet dog. She shares photos of her design work on her Instagram account. Her work shows a mix of beauty and care for the environment.

It is clear that Susan is a creative woman. And she passed this creativity on to her daughter Lauren.

Susan and Lauren’s Relationship Today

Susan and Lauren seem to have a close and loving relationship. In June 2019, Susan attended her daughter Alia’s wedding. Lauren was also there. The whole family came together for this happy event.

Lauren does not talk about her mother in public very often. She respects her mother’s wish for privacy. But from time to time, Lauren has shown love and thanks for the woman who raised her.

Lauren once said that her mother helped her feel connected to different cultures. Growing up in both America and England, with Scottish roots and Jewish traditions, gave Lauren a wide view of the world. Susan made all of this possible.

What Makes Susan Cohan’s Story Special?

Susan Cohan’s story is not about fame or money. It is about a mother who made hard choices and always put her children first.

She moved across the world. She started her life over after a divorce. She helped her daughter find her passion. And she built her own career doing what she loves. All of this while staying out of the spotlight.

In a world where many celebrity parents try to become famous themselves, Susan chose a different path. She stayed quiet, worked hard, and let her daughter shine. That is a kind of strength that most people do not talk about.

Key Takeaways from Susan Cohan’s Life

First, a parent’s support can change a child’s life. Susan believed in Lauren’s talent even before the world did. Second, you do not need to be famous to be successful. Susan built a respected career in landscape design on her own. Third, privacy is a choice. In today’s world of social media, choosing to stay private takes real courage.

Final Thoughts

Susan Cohan may not be a household name. But her story matters. She is the woman behind one of TV’s biggest stars. She is a talented designer, a caring mother, and a strong woman who built a good life for herself and her family.

Next time you watch Lauren Cohan on screen, remember that her strength, talent, and courage started at home. And at home, there was Susan Cohan, quietly making it all possible.