Celebrated romance author Dame Jilly Cooper, known for her sharp wit, charm, and iconic Rutshire Chronicles series, has passed away at the age of 88 following a fall on Sunday morning.
Her literary agency, Curtis Brown, confirmed the news on Monday, describing her passing as sudden and deeply shocking.
In a statement, her children Felix and Emily shared:
“Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock. We are so proud of everything she achieved and cannot imagine life without her laughter and warmth.”
Her longtime agent Felicity Blunt paid tribute, calling Cooper “a cultural icon” who had shaped literature and conversation for over fifty years.
“Jilly will forever be remembered for The Rutshire Chronicles and her charming yet mischievous hero, Rupert Campbell-Black,” Blunt said. “Though her novels were playful and bold, they also revealed deep truths about class, love, rivalry, and human nature — all delivered with her trademark humour and insight.”
Born in London in 1937, Cooper began her career as a journalist, writing popular columns for The Sunday Times and Mail on Sunday. She published her first book, How to Stay Married, in 1969, followed by How to Survive from Nine to Five a year later.
Her lasting fame came with the Rutshire Chronicles, launched in 1988 with Riders and Rivals. The 11-book series followed the adventures of show-jumping champion Rupert Campbell-Black and cemented Cooper’s reputation as the queen of British romantic fiction.
In 2024, her novel Rivals was adapted into a hit Disney+ series produced by Happy Prince, with Cooper serving as an executive producer. The show, starring David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Katherine Parkinson, Danny Dyer, and others, vividly brought to life the rivalry and glamour of 1980s England. Following its success, a second season is already in production for release in 2026.
According to her agency, a private family funeral will take place soon in accordance with Cooper’s wishes. A public service of thanksgiving is planned at Southwark Cathedral, giving admirers the chance to celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of a woman whose writing, humour, and warmth enriched generations of readers.
“She always said she wrote ‘to add to the sum of human happiness,’” Blunt reflected. “And in that, she truly succeeded.”
