Dame Jilly Cooper, the celebrated author behind romance novels including Rivals, Riders and Polo, has died at the age of 88 following a fall. Her death occurred on Sunday morning, leaving her family and the literary world in mourning.
Her children Felix and Emily described the loss as devastating and unexpected. "Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds," they said in a statement. "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."
Literary legacy
Dame Jilly became synonymous with The Rutshire Chronicles series, featuring the charismatic showjumping lothario Rupert Campbell-Black. These novels defined the "bonkbuster" genre and captivated readers for decades with their blend of romance, scandal and sharp social observation.
Her work recently found new audiences when Rivals was adapted for television by Disney+. Dame Jilly served as an executive producer on the adaptation, contributing her expertise to enhance scripts and storylines with her suggestions for story and dialogue.
Industry tributes
Her agent Felicity Blunt paid an extensive tribute to the author's remarkable career and cultural impact. "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," Blunt said.
Blunt praised Dame Jilly's enduring literary skill and unique voice. "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," she said. "Her plots were both intricate and gutsy, spiked with sharp observations and wicked humour."
The agent highlighted the author's humble approach to her craft and lasting mission. "She wrote, she said, simply 'to add to the sum of human happiness'. In this regard as a writer she was and remains unbeatable," Blunt added. "Emotionally intelligent, fantastically generous, sharply observant and utter fun Jilly Cooper will be deeply missed by all at Curtis Brown and on the set of Rivals."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
