Sophie Kinsella, the bestselling author known worldwide for her hit series “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” died Monday (Dec. 8) of complications from brain cancer. She was 55.
Her family confirmed her passing, saying she died peacefully, surrounded by “family, music and warmth, Christmas and joy”.
A heartfelt statement from the family
In an emotional statement, the British author’s family said: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Sophie (aka Maddy, aka Mum) this morning… We will miss her so much it breaks our hearts.”
They added that despite her illness, Kinsella “carried it with unimaginable courage” and “took nothing for granted”.
Fighting cancer
Kinsella, born Madeleine Sophie Wickham, revealed last year that she was undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy for an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Her 2024 book “What’s It Like?” drew from this difficult journey and made several bestseller lists.
A phenomenal writing career
Beginning with “The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic” in 2000, Kinsella has written 10 books in the Shopaholic series. Her novels have sold more than 50 million copies and been translated into more than 40 languages, according to her website.
Her debut novel, The Tennis Party, was written when she was 24 and working as a financial journalist.
The Global Impact of Shopaholic
The first two books in the series were adapted into the 2009 film Confessions of a Shopaholic starring Isla Fisher. The story follows Becky Bloomwood, a financial journalist who is great at writing about money but terrible at managing her own.
Final work
Its latest versions include
“How does it feel?” (2024) — a semi-fictional account of her experience with cancer.
Kinsella has often said that writing helps her cope with life’s challenges. In the introduction to her latest book, she wrote: “I’ve always processed my life through writing… It’s maybe my version of therapy.”
(With inputs from AP, AFP)
