Dame Jilly Cooper, beloved author of sizzling hits like Rivals and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, has died aged 88.
Her children, Felix and Emily, revealed the heartbreaking news on Sunday, October 5, calling her death a “complete shock.”
“Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds,” they said. “Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock. We are so proud of everything she achieved in her life and can’t begin to imagine life without her infectious smile and laughter all around us.”
Queen of Romance: Jilly Cooper’s Unforgettable Legacy
Jilly Cooper’s steamy, page-turning novels like Rivals, Riders, and Polo made her a national treasure. Her sharp wit and vivid storytelling sparked a dedicated fanbase and even hit screens, cementing her status as the doyenne of British romantic drama.
Love, Jelly and a Proposal: Jilly Cooper’s Romantic Life
She married publisher Leo Cooper in 1961. Leo, born in 1934, ran his own publishing company and was a Radley College old boy. Their romance began when Jilly was just a young teenager, spotting Leo’s cheeky antics at a party — he famously threw strawberry jelly at someone, catching her eye!
