Author had an aggressive type of brain cancer

Romcom queen Sophie Kinsella has died at the age of 55.

It comes 20 months after the novelist announced that she had been diagnosed with glioblastoma –  an aggressive type of brain cancer – and had undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy after surgery.

After writing a number of books under her real name, Madeleine Wickham, the author had a breakthrough in 200 with the publication of The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic.

Another nine would follow, all following Becky Bloomwood, a financial journalist with a spending problem. Wickham herself was a financial journalist before turning to fiction.

The first two Shopaholic books were adapted into a film in 2009. Confessions Of A Shopaholic was directed by PJ Hogan and starred Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy.

In total, she wrote more than 30 books – including Mummy Fairy and Me series for children – which have together sold more than 50million copies.

Her latest novel What Does It Feel Like?  – which she called ‘my most autobiographical work to date’ – was named as one of the five best of 2024 by The Guardian.

The writer’s death was announced in a post on her social media accounts which read: ‘We are heartbroken to announce the passing this morning of our beloved Sophie (aka Maddy, aka Mummy). 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.’

Kinsella’s last social media post came in October, when she paid tribute to a fellow witty author, writing: ‘Devastated to hear of the death of Jilly Cooper, the funniest, smartest, sexiest, most fabulous author, beloved by all. I’ll miss you, Jilly,;

Novelist Jojo Moyes previously gave Wickham the sobriquet ‘the queen of romantic comedy’.

Wickham is survived by her husband, Henry, whom she met on her first night at Oxford University, four sons and a daughter

Published: 10 Dec 2025