Yalom was born in Washington DC.

About fifteen years prior to his birth in the United States, Yalom's parents immigrated from Russia and e entually opened a Washington DC gro!ery store on "st Street and Seaton #la!e. Yalom spent mu!h of his !hildhood reading boo$s in the family house abo e the gro!ery store and in a lo!al library. After graduating from high s!hool, he attended %eorge Washington Uni ersity and then &oston Uni ersity S!hool of 'edi!ine.