Sophie Kinsella, author of Shopaholic series of novels, dies aged 55

Sophie Kinsella, author of the Shopaholic series of novels, has been hailed as a "graceful" inspiration who left her readers feeling better about themselves, following her death at the age of 55.

The writer, whose real name was Madeleine Sophie Wickham, revealed last year she had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer 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."

'Made you feel better about yourself'

Kinsella's novels have sold more than 45 million copies in more than 60 countries, and have been translated into more than 40 languages.

Speaking to The UK Tonight With Sarah-Jane Mee, fellow author Jojo Moyes, who was friends with Kinsella for decades, described her as a "graceful", "kind" and "encouraging" mentor.

Those who knew her "will always be grateful to have had her in our lives", she said.

Her characters "were flawed and messy, but they were also relatable, and you always finished a Sophie Kinsella book feeling better about yourself".

"If the thing that you are remembered for is joy and grace and kindness, as well as your talent, what more can any of us ask?"

In a post on social media last year, Kinsella revealed she had been receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy at London's University College Hospital, and had undergone "successful" surgery.

She said she "wanted for a long time to share with you a health update, and I've been waiting for the strength to do so".

"At the end of 2022 I was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of aggressive brain cancer," she said.

"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'.

"At the moment all is stable and I am feeling generally very well, though I get very tired and my memory is even worse than it was before!

"I am so grateful to my family and close friends who have been an incredible support to me, and to the wonderful doctors and nurses who have treated me."

Kinsella's most recent book is What Does it Feel Like?, published in October 2024 and which "is fiction, but it is my most autobiographical work to date", the author wrote on her website.

Other books by the London-born author include The Burnout, released in October 2023, Can You Keep A Secret? and The Undomestic Goddess.

The first two novels 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.

She is survived by her children, four sons and a daughter, and her husband Henry Wickham.

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Bill Scott-Kerr, publisher at Transworld, the publishing home of Kinsella for the past 30 years, said: "She has been such an unshakeable pillar of our publishing at Transworld for so many years that the thought of a year without a Sophie Kinsella to publish is inconceivable."

He added: "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."

(c) Sky News 2025: Sophie Kinsella, author of Shopaholic series of novels, dies aged 55