Author Dame Jilly Cooper has died, her publisher has said.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dame Jilly Cooper, DBE who died on Sunday morning, after a fall, at the age of 88,” a statement said.
The best-selling author was renowned for her raunchy, so-called “bonkbuster” style books, which portrayed the scandals and sex lives of wealthy country social circles, including Rivals, Riders and Polo.
Her children Felix and Emily said: “Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds.
“Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock.
“We are so proud of everything she achieved in her life and can’t begin to imagine life without her infectious smile and laughter all around us.”
Jilly Cooper and daughter Emily. Pic: PA
During her career, which spanned more than 50 years, she sold 11 million copies of her books.
She was propelled to huge commercial success in the 1980s with her erotic novels that followed the romantic adventures of upper-class characters such as show jumper Rupert Campbell-Black.
Last year Rivals was adapted into a successful TV series, which she worked on as an executive producer.
Jilly Cooper with cast members from Rivals in 2024. Pic: Hogan Media/Shutterstock
Jilly Cooper found fame in the 1980s. Pic: Nikki English/ANL/Shutterstock
‘Culture-defining bonkbusters’
The author’s many fans included former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who said the books offered “escapism”.
Her agent Felicity Blunt said: “The privilege of my career has been working with a woman who has defined culture, writing and conversation since she was first published over fifty years ago.”
She added: “You wouldn’t expect books categorised as bonkbusters to have so emphatically stood the test of time, but Jilly wrote with acuity and insight about all things – class, sex, marriage, rivalry, grief and fertility.”
Author Jilly Cooper with two stars of a mini TV series based on her book Riders. Pic: PA
Pic: PA
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