Sophie Kinsella, auhor of "Confessions of a Shopaholic", dies at 55 after cancer battle

Bestselling novelist was diagnosed with glioblastoma in late 2022

Sophie Kinsella, the internationally bestselling author behind the iconic "Confessions of a Shopaholic" series, has died aged 55. Her family confirmed that she passed away peacefully after a courageous, privately fought battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Kinsella was diagnosed with the disease in late 2022. She underwent surgery shortly after diagnosis, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy as part of her ongoing treatment.

Despite the severity of her condition, she kept the diagnosis private for nearly two years to give her children time to adjust. She later made her illness public in 2024, expressing gratitude for her medical team and her readers’ support.

Born Madeleine Sophie Wickham in 1969, Kinsella began her career as a financial journalist before turning to fiction. Under the pen name Sophie Kinsella, she became one of the most recognisable voices in contemporary romantic comedy fiction. Her breakout novel, Confessions of a Shopaholic, published in 2000, became a global phenomenon and later inspired the hit 2009 film adaptation.

Over the course of her career, Kinsella wrote more than 20 novels, including fan-favourites such as "Can You Keep a Secret?", "The Undomestic Goddess", and "The Burnout". Her books have sold over 50 million copies worldwide and have been translated into dozens of languages, cementing her as a defining figure in modern women’s fiction.

In 2024, Kinsella publicly shared her glioblastoma diagnosis, later drawing from her personal experience in her deeply reflective novel "What Does It Feel Like?". Despite her illness, she continued writing and connecting with her readers, remaining known for her warmth, humour, and optimism.

Her family remembered her as "radiant", "joyful", and endlessly devoted to her loved ones. She spent her final days surrounded by family, music, and the comforts she cherished most.

Kinsella is survived by her husband, Henry Wickham, and their five children. Her legacy lives on through her unforgettable characters, heartfelt storytelling, and the millions of readers she inspired around the world.