FILE-Sophie Kinsella attends the photocall of the movie "Can You Keep A Secret?" during the Alice nella Città Festival on October 19, 2019 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Stefania D'Alessandro/Getty Images)
Sophie Kinsella, the author well-known for the "Confessions of a Shopaholic" series, died Wednesday. She was 55 years old.
Kinsella was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2022.
RELATED: Celebrity deaths of 2025: Who we’ve lost this year
In 2000, Kinsella launched "The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic," titled "Confessions of a Shopaholic" in the United States, and she went on to publish 10 "Shopaholic" novels, along with other books, which sold over 45 million copies globally and have been translated into dozens of languages, the Associated Press reported.
Kinsella’s family statement
What they're saying:
Sophie Kinsella’s family released a statement on the late author’s Instagram page writing: "We are heartbroken to announce the passing this morning of our beloved Sophie (aka Maddy, aka Mummy). She died peacefully, with her final days filled with her true loves: family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy."
"We can’t imagine what life will be like without her radiance and love of life. Despite her illness, which she bore with unimaginable courage, Sophie counted herself truly blessed - to have such wonderful family and friends, and to have had the extraordinary success of her writing career. She took nothing for granted and was forever grateful for the love she received."
Who was Sophie Kinsella?
The backstory:
Sophie Kinsella grew up in London and later enrolled at Oxford University to study music but changed to the politics, philosophy and economics program after a year, according to the Associated Press.
After graduating, Kinsella worked as a financial journalist but quit her job to transition to a writing career, publishing her first novel titled" The Tennis Party" in 1995. She later wrote six more books, including "The Gatecrasher" and "Sleeping Arrangements."
Beginning in 2000, Kinsella launched "The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic," titled "Confessions of a Shopaholic" in the United States, and she went on to publish 10 "Shopaholic" novels, along with other books, which sold over 45 million copies globally and have been translated into dozens of languages, the AP reported.
"Confessions of a Shopaholic" tells the story of Becky Bloomwood, a young financial journalist in debt from a shopping habit she can’t manage, while getting into credit card debt with impulse purchases.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by a family statement published on Sophie Kinsella’s Instagram page and the Associated Press. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.