Sophie Kinsella, who is best known for her iconic series of Shopaholic novels, passed away on Wednesday after a long battle with brain cancer. She was 55. The best-selling author said her inspiration was Jane Austen; “[Jane] loves a flawed heroine as much as I do,” expressed Sophia.
The author’s real name is Madeleine Sophie Wickham. She had been open about her battle with cancer as she announced her diagnosis on an Instagram post in April last year and was treating her cancer with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Sophie’s death was announced by her family with a post shared to her Instagram account, which 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. 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 shares five children with her husband, Henry Wickham.
The wonderful author has written over 30 books, which have sold more than forty-five million copies in over 60 countries. The British author’s first novel, The Tennis Party, was released in 1995, and her latest novel, The Burnout, was published in October 2023.