The literary world mourns the loss of Sophie Kinsella, the celebrated author behind the internationally acclaimed Shopaholic series, who died at age 55 after a courageous battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Kinsella's family announced her passing through a heartfelt statement shared on her Instagram account, revealing that she died peacefully and that her final days were filled with "family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy."
"We are heartbroken to announce the passing this morning of our beloved Sophie," the family wrote in a statement on Wednesday. "We can't imagine what life will be like without her radiance and love of life."
The English author, whose real name was Madeleine Sophie Wickham, first revealed her diagnosis in 2024, though she had been battling the disease since late 2022. She explained to the BBC that her decision to keep the diagnosis private initially, stating she wanted to ensure her five children could "hear and process the news in privacy and adapt to our 'new normal.'"
Throughout her illness, Kinsella received treatment at University College Hospital in London, undergoing successful surgery followed by ongoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Born in London in 1969, Kinsella's impact on contemporary fiction cannot be overstated. Her novels have sold more than 50 million copies across more than 60 countries. She began her writing career at age 24 under her married name, Madeleine Wickham, while working as a financial journalist.
Her breakthrough came with the publication of "The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic" (also known as "Confessions of a Shopaholic"), which introduced readers to Becky Bloomwood, a financial journalist with a shopping addiction. The character's relatable struggles and humorous misadventures resonated with readers worldwide, spawning eight additional Shopaholic novels and a 2009 film adaptation starring Isla Fisher.
"I thought, wait a minute, shopping has become the national pastime, and nobody has written about it," Kinsella once reflected on the series' origins.
Beyond the Shopaholic franchise, Kinsella penned 18 books in total, including beloved titles such as "Can You Keep A Secret?" and "The Undomestic Goddess." Her most recent work, the novella "What Does It Feel Like?" published in October 2024, offered a semi-fictional account of her cancer diagnosis.
Fellow authors and colleagues have expressed deep sorrow at Kinsella's passing, celebrating not just her literary achievements but her warmth and kindness as a person.
Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor, comprising 16 percent of all primary brain and central nervous system neoplasms.
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, "Median age of diagnosis is 64 years, and it is more common in men compared to women. Survival is poor, with approximately 40 percent surviving the first year post diagnosis and 17 percent in the second year."
Symptoms vary depending on the location of the brain tumor and may include any of the following:
Persistent headaches
Double or blurred vision
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Changes in mood and personality
Changes in the ability to think and learn
In their statement, Kinsella's family emphasized that "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."
(Rh/VK)
