Best selling British-American author Barbara Taylor Bradford has died aged 91 after a “short illness”.
She died peacefully in her home on Sunday, November 24, surrounded by loved ones.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Barbara Taylor Bradford Reveals the Key to Her Strong Storylines.
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Her debut book titled A Woman Of Substance, published in 1979, is considered one of the best-selling novels of all-time. It has sold more than 30 million copies.
“With the deepest and heartfelt sadness, it is confirmed that international bestselling author Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE has died,” Harper Collins UK said in a statement posted to Instagram on Sunday.
“A prolific writer, Barbara published her iconic debut novel, A Woman Of Substance, in 1979.
“It went from bestseller to super seller within its first year and stayed on the New York Times’ list for 43 weeks.
“Barbara wrote a total of 40 novels during her phenomenal career, all of which became worldwide bestsellers.
“Her most recent, The Wonder Of It All, was published in the UK and Commonwealth by HarperCollins (November 2023), and in the US by St Martin’s Press (December 2023).
“In one of the many interviews that she conducted during her remarkable life, Barbara was recently asked what would be on her epitaph. Barbara replied: ‘She made her dreams come true.’
“A storyteller of substance, Barbara was greatly admired, much loved and will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and fans around the world.”
Combined, all 40 of Bradford’s best-selling novels sold more than 90 million copies across 90 countries.
A Woman Of Substance, which follows Emma Harte as she transforms from kitchen maid to successful businesswoman, was in 1985 adapted into a three-part mini-series starring Liam Neeson and Jenny Seagrove, which earned two Emmy nominations.
Fans have paid tribute to the author.
“The Woman Of Substance series were iconic and years ahead of their time. They were devoured during my teens when the blockbuster book was an iconic part of the ’80s — sleep well BTB, you shaped the road for women to inspire for better,” one Instagram commenter said.
“This is very sad news. Her books will always stay with me as some of the most memorable of my life,” another person said.
Someone else said: “Such an incredible life and career — an inspiration to so many writers. May she rest in peace.”