Jilly Cooper, Author of Risqué ‘Riders’ and ‘Rivals’ Novels, Dies at 88
Jilly Cooper, the celebrated British author renowned for her captivating and frequently enough scandalous portrayals of the upper classes in novels like Riders and Rivals, has died unexpectedly at the age of 88. Her literary agency, Curtis Brown, announced her death on Monday, stating she passed away following a fall.
Cooper’s children, Felix and Emily, described their mother as “the shining light in all of our lives,” adding that her death came as a “complete shock.”
Beginning with Riders in 1985, Cooper crafted the immensely popular Rutshire Chronicles, a series of 11 books that delved into the humorous and racy lives of the wealthy, horse-riding set in 1980s England. The series sold millions of copies in the UK alone, captivating readers with its blend of romance, scandal, and social commentary. More recently, her novel Rivals was adapted into a successful Disney+ television series last year, starring David Tennant and Alex Hassell.
Tributes poured in from across British society, including from members of the royal family and political leaders. Queen camilla, wife of King Charles III, hailed Cooper as a “legend,” recalling a recent encounter with the author at a book festival. “I join my husband the King in sending our thoughts and sympathies to all her family,” Camilla wrote. “And may her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office released a statement calling Cooper “a literary force whose wit, warmth and wisdom shaped British culture for over half a century and brought joy to millions.” Even former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged the escapism offered by Cooper’s work.
Cooper’s fictional creations, particularly the dashing hero Rupert campbell-Black, often drew inspiration from real-life figures. The author herself revealed that Campbell-Black was partly inspired by Camilla’s ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles.
Throughout her career, Cooper received significant recognition for her contributions to literature. She was appointed an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2004 and more recently received a damehood from King Charles at Windsor Castle.
Publishers and colleagues alike praised Cooper’s unique talent.Bill Scott-Kerr, her publisher, lauded her “wicked social commentary and deft, lacerating characterisation,” noting that she “dissected the behavior, bad mostly, of the English upper middle classes with the sharpest of scalpels.” her agent,Felicity Blunt,stated Cooper “defined culture,writing and conversation as she was frist published over 50 years ago,” describing her as “emotionally intelligent,fantastically generous,sharply observant and utter fun.”
Born in Essex, near London, in 1937, Cooper’s path to literary success was unconventional. She began her career in journalism, covering local events, before a stint in public relations that saw her reportedly fired from over 20 jobs. She eventually found her calling in book publishing. Cooper married publisher Leo Cooper in 1961, and her breakthrough came in 1969 with a piece published in The Sunday Times about the challenges of being a young working wife. She went on to become a columnist for the newspaper for over 13 years.
Her prolific output included 18 novels and other works, spanning romance, children’s literature, and non-fiction. Her most recent novel, Tackle!, was published in 2023.
In accordance with her wishes, Cooper’s funeral will be a private affair.However,a public service to celebrate her life will be held in London in the coming months,according to her agent. She is survived by her two adopted children, Felix and Emily. Her husband,Leo,passed away in 2013 after more than 40 years of marriage.
