British author Sophie Kinsella, known for the bestselling "Shopaholic" series, has died at the age of 55. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer (glioblastoma) in 2022.
The writer, whose real name was Madeleine Sophie Wickham, was remembered by colleagues and friends as a "wonderful and warm" woman.
Her family announced that Sophie passed away "surrounded by love, music and warmth", saying she faced the illness with "unimaginable courage".
Jojo Moyes, the author of "Me Before You" and her friend of 20 years, said she had "never met anyone with more grace and kindness," describing Kinsella as incredibly talented, intelligent and down-to-earth, despite her huge success.
Actress Isla Fisher, the star of the film "Confessions of a Shopaholic," said she was "absolutely heartbroken," calling Kinsella her "heroine."
Kinsella has sold over 50 million copies of her books in more than 60 countries and has been translated into over 40 languages. She began writing under the pen name Madeleine Wickham and became internationally famous with the "Shopaholic" series, creating the iconic character Becky Bloomwood.
Through her humor, realistic themes, and carefully constructed protagonists, she was seen as one of the most unique voices in modern comic romance. Her publisher described her as an author with an “unquenchable spirit and an unforgettable legacy.”
In 2024, she also published a novel about her cancer diagnosis, admitting that she has "always processed her life through writing."
Kinsella left behind her husband and their five children.
