Steven McIntoshEntertainment reporter
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Sophie Kinsella, the author of the bestselling Shopaholic series of novels, has died aged 55, her family have announced.
The writer, whose real name is Madeleine Sophie Wickham, was 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.”
It continued: “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.”
Kinsella’s books have sold more than 50 million copies in more than 60 countries, and have been translated into more than 40 languages.
Her most recent novella, What Does It Feel Like?, published in October 2024, was a poignant and witty account of her cancer diagnosis which was written after Kinsella had surgery.
Her other works include Can You Keep A Secret? and The Undomestic Goddess.
The first two novels in her eight-book Shopaholic series were adapted for the 2009 film Confessions of a Shopaholic, starring Isla Fisher.
Kinsella wrote her first novel, The Tennis Party, under her real name aged 24, while working as a financial journalist.
It was acclaimed by critics and became a top 10 bestseller. She went on to publish six more novels as Madeleine Wickham.
Five years later, writing as Sophie Kinsella, she published The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic, which introduced readers to the character Becky Bloomwood.
After its huge success, Kinsella went on to write eight further Shopaholic novels and another 18 books in total, including one young adult novel and four children’s books.
Her publisher said Kinsella “defined and elevated romantic comedy by populating her stories with real-life issues that combined wit, emotional depth and societal insight”.
“Her distinctive voice and style brought her readers from a wide demographic across the world.”
