The author of the bestselling Shopaholic series of novels, Sophie Kinsella, has sadly died aged 55 after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Her family confirmed the news in a heartbreaking statement following her passing this morning (December 10).
Her family said she “died peacefully” and spent her last days with “family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy.”
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.
(Image: Getty Images)
“She will be missed so much our hearts are breaking.”
Real name Madeleine Sophie Wickham, who used Sophie Kinsella as her pen name, announced in April 2024 she had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer back in 2022.
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.”
Sophie said in the post that she has been receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Dan Knowles, chief executive at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Our heartfelt condolences go to Sophie’s family, friends and her many fans. Too many people know the devastation of this dreadfully cruel disease.
“While we pause to reflect on those lost to and those living with a brain tumour, we renew our drive and determination to find a cure for this disease.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Sophie released The Burnout in October 2023 and her other best-selling books include Can You Keep A Secret? and The Undomestic Goddess.
Her novels have sold more than 45 million 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.
Araminta Whitley and Marina de Pass, Sophie Kinsella’s agents at The Soho Agency, said: “Her readers, and we include ourselves in that, felt seen and understood by her protagonists and their stories. We have lost count of the number of fans we met at events and in signing lines who wanted her to know that her books had helped them through some of the hardest moments of their lives. Yet through it all, Maddy remained humble and full of wonder at her success and influence.
(Image: Surrey Advertiser)
“Consequently, she was profoundly moved, and buoyed, by the outpouring of love and support she received on publicly disclosing her glioblastoma diagnosis last year.”
“It is hard to contemplate life and work without Maddy. We will remember her for her warmth, insight and irrepressible sense of humour, for the magnificent, witty and resonant novels she leaves behind, and for making our days infinitely more meaningful and fun. We are completely heartbroken at her death. We loved her dearly and will miss her more than we can say.”
Bill Scott-Kerr, publisher at Transworld, the publishing home of author Sophie Kinsella for the past 30 years, said: “Maddy leaves behind a glorious and indelible legacy: a unique voice, an unquenchable spirit, a goodness of intent and a body of work that will continue to inspire us to reach higher and be better, just like so many of her characters.
“On a personal level Maddy was the embodiment of joy, an extraordinarily clever, funny, sassy, impish, kind and generous collaborator who brought light into our lives. She was as part of this company as anyone, and we will all truly miss her.”
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