Beloved British author Jilly Cooper, best known for her bold and witty romance novels, has passed away at the age of 88 following a fall, her family and agent confirmed on Monday.
A former journalist turned bestselling novelist, Cooper captured readers’ hearts with her iconic series The Rutshire Chronicles, which included the hit title Rivals — recently adapted for television by Disney+.
Her publishers, Curtis Brown, described her as a “trailblazer” and confirmed that she died peacefully on Sunday morning.
Cooper, who was close friends with Queen Camilla, became a household name for her unapologetically fun and cheeky writing style. Her novels, full of glamour, scandal, and wit, painted vivid portraits of English upper-class life — often with a mischievous twist. Titles like Riders, Mount!, Tackle! and Score! became literary staples, selling over 11 million copies in the UK alone.
Her publisher, Bill Scott-Kerr, praised her legacy, saying, “Jilly may have worn her influence lightly, but she was a true trailblazer. Her storytelling was a perfect mix of humor, heart, and razor-sharp social insight. Riders changed the course of popular fiction forever.”
Born Jill Sallitt on February 21, 1937, Cooper’s charm and humor carried through every aspect of her work. In a recent interview ahead of the Rivals TV adaptation, she said, “People like love stories to cheer them up — and that’s what I’ve always wanted to do: cheer people up.”
Her children, Felix and Emily, described her death as a complete shock, saying, “We are so proud of everything she achieved and can’t imagine life without her laughter and warmth.”
Cooper’s writing career spanned over four decades, with 18 novels and 20 non-fiction works that reflected both her life and her keen observations of British society. Her Rutshire Chronicles were, as her publisher described, “ribald, rollicking, and the very definition of good fun,” inspiring a generation of women writers.
Her publicist, Felicity Blunt, paid tribute to her mentor and friend, saying, “I’ve lost an ally, a confidante, and a mentor — but her words will live forever. She wrote about class, love, rivalry, grief, and desire with remarkable honesty and humor.”
A private funeral will be held in line with Cooper’s wishes, followed by a public service of thanksgiving at Southwark Cathedral in the coming months.
Her stories, full of love, laughter, and a touch of mischief, will continue to brighten bookshelves — and hearts — for years to come.
