Confessions of a Shopaholic author Sophie Kinsella has died aged 55 after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer, her family have said.
The writer, whose real name is Madeleine Sophie Wickham, received the devastating diagnosis of glioblastoma in 2022.
A statement posted to her Instagram account read: ‘We are heartbroken to announce the passing this morning of our beloved Sophie (aka Maddy, aka Mummy).
‘She died peacefully, with her final days filled with her true loves: family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy.
‘We can’t imagine what life will be like without her radiance and love of life.
‘Despite her illness, which she bore with unimaginable courage, Sophie counted herself truly blessed – to have such wonderful family and friends, and to have had the extraordinary success of her writing career.
‘She took nothing for granted and was forever grateful for the love she received. She will be missed so much our hearts are breaking.’
Last year, she wrote What Does It Feel Like – a semi-autobiographical book exploring her battle with cancer.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
Confessions of a Shopaholic author Sophie Kinsella
Sophie Kinsella documented her battle after being diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022
The author announced in April 2024 she had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
She wrote on Instagram at the time: ‘At the end of 2022 I was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of aggressive brain cancer.
‘I did not share this before because I wanted to make sure that my children were able to hear and process the news in privacy and adapt to our “new normal”.’
She said in the post that she has been receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
She released The Burnout in October 2023 and her other bestselling books include Can You Keep A Secret? and The Undomestic Goddess.
Her novels have sold more than 45million copies in more than 60 countries, and have been translated into more than 40 languages.
The first two works in her hit eight-book Shopaholic series, The Secret Dreamworld Of A Shopaholic and Shopaholic Abroad, were adapted into the 2009 film Confessions Of A Shopaholic, starring Isla Fisher.
Fellow writers having been paying tribute today, with Jill Mansell writing: ‘This is the saddest news. Maddy was a brilliant writer but more importantly a truly lovely person.
‘In both respects she brought so much joy to the world. Life is unfair. Sending love to her family and all who will miss her so much.’
Daisy Buchanan posted: ‘This is devastating. I don’t have the words – I send so much love to everyone who knew her, I’m so so grateful for all of the joy she brought me, it’s been the greatest privilege to be a reader and a fan.’
Another author Joanna Miller said: ‘The saddest possible news – Sophie was a wonderful writer and a huge, huge inspiration.’