Sophie Kinsella, author of the massively popular Shopaholic book series, has died at age 55, her family has confirmed in a heartfelt tribute.
In April 2024, Kinsella, whose real name is Madeleine Wickham, announced her diagnosis with glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain cancer, at the end of 2022.
On Wednesday, her family announced Kinsella’s passing on social media, saying 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,” the statement said.
Kinsella’s books have sold more than 45 million copies worldwide, and have been translated into dozens of languages.
Some of her books have been adapted into film as well, such as the first two Shopaholic books which were crafted into the 2009 movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic, starring Isla Fisher.
Kinsella’s 2003 book, Can You Keep a Secret?, was also adapted into a 2019 movie starring Alexandra Daddario and Tyler Hoechlin.
Her beloved novels often focused on young women navigating life challenges, with Kinsella telling NPR in 2019 that “there’s something exciting about the time of life where you’re on the lookout for opportunities in all directions.”
“You’re looking at your career. You’re looking at finding someone to love. Everything is ahead of you,” she said.
“There is something exhilarating about meeting a stranger in a coffee shop and thinking, where’s this going to go? It’s a kind of frisson that I love to return to. I left my job to write novels when I was 20-something, and in my head I’m pretty much still that 20-something, and looking at the grownups.”
Kinsella is survived by her husband, Henry Wickham, and their five children.