Beloved British Author Jilly Cooper Passes Away at 88

Jilly Cooper, the queen of steamy romance novels, has died at the age of 88. The news was shared by her family and agent on October 6, 2025. Fans around the world are mourning the loss of a writer who brought joy, scandal, and sharp wit to millions of readers.

Cooper passed away after a fall on Sunday morning. Her death came as a shock to those who loved her. She was known for her fun, cheeky stories about love, class, and adventure in the English countryside.

A Life Full of Stories

 Born in 1937 in Essex, England, Cooper started her career as a journalist in the 1960s. She wrote columns for the Sunday Times about everyday life—like marriage, sex, and even housework. In the 1970s, she switched to novels, and her big break came with Riders in 1985.

Riders kicked off her famous Rutshire Chronicles series. These books follow the wild lives of rich, upper-class folks in the made-up county of Rutshire. The star character? Rupert Campbell-Black, a dashing showjumper who’s as charming as he is troublesome. Other hits include Rivals, Polo, The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, Appassionata, and her latest, Tackle, from 2023.

Her novels, often called “bonkbusters,” mixed romance, humor, and a bit of snobbery. They sold over 11 million copies in the UK alone. In 2018, she was honored with a CBE for her work in literature and charity. Last year, Rivals became a hit Disney+ show with stars like David Tennant and Aidan Turner. Cooper even helped produce it, and season two is already in the works.

Family and Friends Remember Her

Cooper was married to publisher Leo Cooper from 1961 until his death in 2013. They had two children, Felix and Emily. Her family shared a heartfelt note: “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.”

Her agent, Felicity Blunt, praised her lasting 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. Jilly will undoubtedly be best remembered for her chart-topping series The Rutshire Chronicles and its havoc-making and handsome show-jumping hero Rupert Campbell-Black.”

Publisher Bill Scott-Kerr added: “Working with Jilly Cooper over the past thirty years has been one of the great privileges and joys of my publishing life. Beyond her genius as a novelist, she was always a personal heroine of mine… for her kindness and friendship, for her humour and irrepressible enthusiasm, for her curiosity, for her courage, and for her profound love of animals.”

Even former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak chimed in, saying her books offered “escapism.”

A Legacy of Laughter and Love

Jilly Cooper wasn’t just a writer—she was a dog lover, a friend to many, and a voice for fun in a stuffy world. Her stories made people laugh, blush, and think about life’s big (and small) dramas. As fans revisit her books and the new TV show, her spirit lives on.

For more details, read the full story here: Reuters Report