| Birth Name: | Arlene Leila Scharaga |
| Birth Date: | 8 June 1934 |
| Birth Place: | New York City, United States |
| Education: | Queens College |
| Occupation: | Author, journalist |
| Years Active: | 1957–2001 |
| Children: | Sandee Hathaway Evan Eisenberg Heidi Murkoff |
| Awards: | National Council of Christians and Jews: Gold Medal for the Look Magazine Cover Story: "The Christian War on Anti-Semitism" 1993 Markie Award: Recovery Book |
| Honours: | Doctor of Humane Letters, Hunter College |
| Spouse: | Howard Eisenberg |
| Notable Works: | What to Expect When You're Expecting What to Expect The First Year The Recovery Book What to Expect Foundation |
Arlene Leila Scharaga Eisenberg[1] (June 8, 1934 – February 8, 2001) was an author best known for her contributions to parenting to self-help literature. Eisenberg co-wrote what has been described as the "bible of American pregnancy,"[2] What to Expect When You're Expecting (1984). The book's success led to the What To Expect[3] parenting series, which as of 2012, has sold over 34 million copies in 30 languages.[4]
Eisenberg married Howard Eisenberg at 18. Howard Eisenberg, then, a publicist[5] for singer Eddie Fisher, encouraged Eisenberg to write. With Arlene's newfound inspiration, the duo soon began writing together, publishing articles and books in the major media. As of 2016, Howard Eisenberg continues to write in tribute to Arlene's honor.
Eisenberg died from breast cancer February 8, 2001.[6] Eisenberg's collaborator and daughter Heidi Murkoff continues to write new books and update the earlier books in the What to Expect series with up to date material. In 2000, The What to Expect Foundation[7] was created by Eisenberg's book team to provide educational resources to needy families.