Sophie Kinsella, beloved creator of Becky Bloomwood and the “Shopaholic” universe, has passed away at 55

10 December 2025

Sophie Kinsella in 2009. Leonardo Cendamo/Getty

Renowned British novelist Sophie Kinsella born Madeleine Sophie Wickham died on December 10, 2025, at the age of 55 after a courageous battle with an aggressive brain cancer. Her family announced her peaceful passing with a heartfelt tribute, remembering her as a vibrant spirit whose final days were spent surrounded by music, warmth, family and love.

Kinsella first rose to literary fame under her pen name when she published Confessions of a Shopaholic in 2000, introducing the world to her unforgettable heroine Becky Bloomwood, a lovably flawed, spendthrift young woman whose shopping habits were as notorious as her charm. That debut launched a ten-book series that would become a global phenomenon. The books resonated with readers across generations thanks to their witty humor, relatable characters, and the way they captured the messy, hopeful turbulence of young adulthood.

Before becoming the “queen of romantic comedy,” as she was once dubbed by fellow novelist Jojo Moyes, Kinsella trained as a financial journalist. Her early life as Madeleine Wickham included writing seven novels in the mid-1990s under her real name. But writing under a new identity gave her the freedom to explore lighter, comedic stories and it was a reinvention that paid off spectacularly.

The success of the Shopaholic books is undeniable: worldwide sales soared past 45 million copies, and her stories were translated into dozens of languages. The first two novels were adapted into the 2009 film version of Confessions of a Shopaholic, starring a young Isla Fisher as Becky. The adaptation brought the books to an even wider audience one that adored Kinsella’s blend of humor and heart.

But the Shopaholic series was far from the only imprint she left on the literary world. Over the course of her three-decade career she wrote more than 30 novels for adults, young adults and children. This includes fan favorites like Can You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, and her 2023 novel The Burnout. Her versatility as a storyteller allowed her to explore different themes, love, identity, self-discovery all while remaining grounded in characters who felt achingly human.

In April 2024, Kinsella publicly revealed she had been diagnosed with Glioblastoma in late 2022. The diagnosis came as a shock to many of her fans, but she met the news with characteristic candour and grace. She wrote a deeply personal post explaining that she delayed announcing her illness to allow her children time to adapt to the “new normal.” Despite undergoing surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, she continued to write. In fact, her 2024 novella What Does It Feel Like? was inspired by her own experience, a brave, introspective work that revealed not just the pain but also resilience and hope.

Her death has prompted an outpouring of tribute and grief across literary circles. Fans, fellow authors and readers worldwide have expressed sorrow at the loss of a storyteller who managed to blend humor, heart and honesty like few others. Many remembered Kinsella not just for her talent but for the warmth and relatability she infused into every narrative.

For every reader who has laughed at Becky Bloomwood’s misadventures, sighed over romance, or found comfort in solace between pages, Sophie Kinsella was more than a writer, she was a friend, a confidante, a voice that captured the messy truths of being young, hopeful, flawed and endlessly human.

She is survived by her husband Henry Wickham, whom she married in 1991, and their five children. Her legacy stretches far beyond the millions of books sold. She leaves behind a world of stories, lively, compassionate, funny and honest that will outlive us all.

In the end, when one flips through her novels, one does not find perfect endings or fairy-tale lives. Instead, one finds hope, laughter, heartbreak, redemption, the messy, beautiful reality of life itself. Sophie Kinsella’s voice may be silent now, but her stories will continue to echo in the hearts of readers for generations.