Sophie Kinsella has sadly passed away at the age of 55, her family announced today. The author, who was known for writing the bestselling Shopaholic series of novels, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2022. However, Sophie didn’t reveal her diagnosis to fans until 2024.
Sophie Kinsella said, “You can be highly intelligent – and also ditzy and klutzy”
“We can’t imagine what life will be like without her radiance and love of life,” Sophie’s family said in a statement. Echoing this, her publisher, Bill Scott-Kerr, said she’d left behind “an indelible legacy” as well as “an unquenchable spirit.”
And it’s exactly that spirit which we remember her for today. Previously speaking about how she chose to live life, and how that inspired her writing, Sophie told The Guardian: “You can be highly intelligent, and also ditzy and klutzy.” The author said she believed it was important and “realistic” to represent women in her work as such. That being, having “all these facets” and not as an “unfair ideal.”
“To have someone who never makes a mistake?” she went on. “I think that would be unreal. What I’m writing is real.”
Clearly, that mindset resonated with readers. Sophie – real name: Madeleine Sophie Wickham – went on to publish 10 books in the Shopaholic series, which inspired the movie starring Isla Fisher. In total, Sophie sold more than 50 million copies of her books in more than 60 countries.
Commenting on her career, Sophie’s family said in their statement that she felt “truly blessed” to have had it.
They went on: “She took nothing for granted and was forever grateful for the love she received. She will be missed so much; our hearts are breaking.”
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