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The literary world is in mourning following the death of dame Jilly cooper, who passed away aged 88 after a fall. Her death marks the end of an era for British popular fiction, as the author of riders, rivals, and polo leaves behind a legacy of humour, glamour, and unapologetic storytelling.
Queen Camilla, a long-time friend and admirer of Cooper’s work, led tributes to the author, describing her as “a legend in her own lifetime.”
In an emotional statement released on Sunday, Her Majesty said:
“I was so saddened to learn of Dame Jilly’s death last night. Very few writers get to be a legend in their own lifetime but Jilly was one, creating a whole new genre of literature and making it her own through a career that spanned over five decades.
With Michael Praed and Marcus Gilbert, stars of the Riders TV series in 1993. Pic: PA
“In person she was a wonderfully witty and compassionate friend to me and so many, and it was a particular pleasure to see her just a few weeks ago at my Queen’s Reading Room Festival where she was, as ever, a star of the show.
“I join my husband The King in sending our thoughts and sympathies to all her family. And may her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs.”
Born on February 21, 1937, in Hornchurch, Essex, Jilly Cooper was educated at Moorfield School in Ilkley and later at the Godolphin School in Salisbury. Her love of storytelling and her sharp sense of humour became evident early on, leading her into journalism before she turned to fiction.
Her career began in the newsroom as a junior reporter for the Middlesex Independent in the late 1950s. But her big break came when she was invited to write a first-person feature for The Sunday Times Magazine about her life experiences. The article’s success earned her a regular column, where she wrote candidly and humorously about marriage, housework, sex, and social manners, a voice that quickly captured the hearts of readers across Britain.
Cooper’s first book, How To Stay Married, was published in 1969, followed by How to Survive from Nine to Five a year later. However, it was the publication of Riders in 1985 that transformed her into a household name. The novel, which delved into the loves, rivalries, and scandals of the British equestrian elite, became a sensation, defining what would later be dubbed the “bonkbuster” genre, glamorous, risqué, and delightfully self-aware.
Her subsequent novels, including Rivals, Polo, and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, cemented her reputation as one of the UK’s best-loved authors. Her 2002 novel Pandora spent 19 weeks on the bestseller list, proving her enduring popularity.
Those famous covers: Jilly Cooper's Riders and and Rivals
Her literary agent, Felicity Blunt, paid tribute, calling it a “privilege” to represent her:
“Jilly was one of a kind, irreverent, brilliant, and endlessly kind. Working with her was an honour, and her warmth and spirit touched everyone she met.”
As news of her passing spread, tributes poured in from fellow writers, fans, and readers who had grown up with her books. Many remembered her not only for her bold characters but also for her generosity, humour, and love of dogs.
Dame Jilly Cooper’s passing marks the loss of a true British original, a woman who made millions laugh, blush, and fall in love with storytelling all over again.
