‘Shopaholic’ Author Sophie Kinsella Dies at 55

Sophie Kinsella, beloved Shopaholic author, has died at 55. Friends and fans remember her warmth, wit, and the joy her stories brought worldwide.

on Dec 11, 2025

‘Shopaholic’ Author Sophie Kinsella Dies at 55

Bestselling author Sophie Kinsella, cherished creator of the Shopaholic novels, died at 55 years old. The family said she passed away in peace, surrounded by everything she loved: family, music, warmth, Christmas, and joy.

Kinsella, real name Madeleine Sophie Wickham, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer in 2022. She publicly disclosed her illness two years later.

Tributes from all around the world have been paid to the novelist who brought laughter and lightness into the lives of millions from writers, friends, and readers alike.

Author Jojo Moyes called her "incredibly kind, incredibly smart" and said she had "never met anybody who carried more grace." She was a close friend for 20 years.

Many said the same thing: that Sophie was as warm, witty and generous as the characters she created.

Author Adele Parks remembered her as a “wonderful, warm woman,” while Jodi Picoult said she would be “missed greatly.” Writer Jenny Colgan added anyone who had read a Kinsella novel had already met the real Sophie — “funny, warm, and full of heart.”

The actress Isla Fisher, who starred in the film version of Confessions of a Shopaholic, said she was "absolutely heartbroken", describing Kinsella as her "hero".

According to her publisher, Kinsella changed the romance comedy genre with stories that combined humor, emotion, and real life. Colleagues remembered her wit, which no one could match, her imaginative spirit, and the unusual capacity of making readers feel noticed and uplifted.

Born in London in 1969, Kinsella first worked as a financial journalist before writing her first novel The Tennis Party at the age of 24. As Sophie Kinsella, she went on to create the eponymous Becky Bloomwood-a lovable, chaotic shopper whose misadventures became a worldwide phenomenon. Her novels have sold in excess of 50 million copies across more than 60 countries. Even after her diagnosis, Kinsella continued to write. Her 2024 novella What Does It Feel Like? tackled her experience with cancer with the trademark honesty and humor her readers have loved. She is survived by her husband Henry, five children, and the legacy of a lifetime of joyous, warm, and unforgettable characters created in her books.