Jilly Cooper, an English author known for her risqué romance novels, died over the weekend. She was 88.

Cooper died after an unexpected fall on Sunday, Oct. 5, according to a news release from English literacy agency Curtis Brown. Cooper is widely known for her romance series, "Rutshire Chronicles," and she most recently served as an executive producer for the Disney+ original series, "Rivals," an adaption of her novel of the same name.

"Mum was the shining light in all of our lives," Cooper's children Felix and Emily wrote in a statement. "Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. We are so proud of everything she achieved in her life and can’t begin to imagine life without her infectious smile and laughter all around us."

Cooper's agent at Curtis Brown, Felicity Blunt, described her client and friend as "emotionally intelligent, fantastically generous, sharply observant and utter fun."

"I have lost a friend, an ally, a confidante and a mentor. But I know she will live forever in the words she put on the page and on the screen," Blunt wrote in the news release.

Who was Jilly Cooper?

Known as a prominent contributor to the "bonkbuster" genre – British romance novels – Cooper was a beloved English author. Her most recent novel of "Rutshire Chronicles, "Tackle!" hit shelves in November 2023.

Before fiction, Cooper worked as a journalist, reporting for stints like Middlesex Independent and The Sunday Times, the BBC reported. After marrying her husband Leo Cooper, a prominent English publicist, Cooper began writing a column for The Sunday Times. Her sexually driven column lead to the publication of one of her first books, "How to Stay Married." Published in 1969, the book was deemed a "user's guide to wedlock."

But during the same time as the column, Cooper also conducted high-profile interviews with figures like Margaret Thatcher, Irish soccer player George Best and English author Rebecca West, according to the BBC.

In 1971, she wrote and directed the British sitcom, "It's Awfully Bad for Your Eyes, Darling" about four girls sharing an apartment in London.

By 1975, Cooper published her first novel, "Emily." And in 1985, she published the first book of her "Rutshire Chronicles," titled "Rider."

Cooper was one of a few who survived the historical Ladbroke Grove rail crash in 1999. Thirty-one passengers died in the crash, making the event one of the most disastrous in British public transportation history.

In 2004, Cooper was awarded an OBE, or Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and in 2024, she was made a dame.

Queen of England shares condolences

In a social media statement made on Oct. 6, Queen Camilla said she had the pleasure of hosting Cooper at her Queen's Reading Room Festival in September.

"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," the queen wrote. "And may her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs."

'Rivals' cast share love for Jilly Cooper

Adapted from her novel, "Rivals" debuted on Disney+ in October 2024. Set in 1980s England, the series follows the rivalry of two men who come to a head. Several of the series' cast took to social media to share love for the late author.

Emily Atack, who played Sarah Stratton in "Rivals," shared a photo with Cooper to Instagram on Oct. 6.

"I’ll never forget the first time we met. Your warmth and kindness soared through me with that first hug, and then every hug since," Atack wrote in her Instagram post. "Sending all my love to Jilly’s wonderful family. Praying that you all feel somewhat comforted by knowing and seeing just how adored she was. What a woman, what a legacy."

Alex Hassell, who played Rupert Campbell-Black in the series, also shared a photo with Cooper.

"Quite aside from the great wealth of joy, comfort and excitement her writing has given so many, she was such a generous spirited person to be around," Hassell wrote in an Instagram post. "She was so kind and supportive to me in portraying her hero Rupert. I’m so pleased I got to see her on set the other day, and pretty much the last things she said to me was that she was proud of me. Gorgeous and caring to the last. She shall be greatly missed."

Authors, fans chime in on Jilly Cooper's death

Countless authors and fans of Cooper's have shared why the late author was important to them.

"Pretty sure I would never have become a published novelist if it weren’t for Jilly Cooper, whose brilliant works inspired me to want to write and brought endless happiness to millions of readers," English romance author Jill Mansell wrote in an X post on Oct. 6. "She was completely fabulous."

English author Daisy Buchanan, known for titles like "Insatiable," also chimed in.

"Reading and loving Jilly Cooper’s words has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I’ve had the enormous luck of spending time with Jilly – and she made me feel exactly the way her books make me feel," Buchanan wrote in an Instagram post on Oct. 6. "Thank you, Jilly, for pleasure, for puns, for all the postcards – and for making me read 'Middlemarch.' I loved you so much. I always will."

English content creator Ann Russell, known as "That English Cleaner Lady" took to TikTok to share her love for Cooper and her novels.

"She's always been my complete and utter weakness. She's brought me so much pleasure and excitement over the years," Russell said in her video. "When I knew she had a book coming out, I ... absolutely couldn't wait."

Family to hold public memorial, private funeral

Cooper's funeral will be held privately for her family, but a public thanksgiving will be held in the coming months at the Southwark Cathedral in London, according to the Curtis Brown news release. More details about the event will be shared soon.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jilly Cooper, English author known for risqué romance novels, dies at 88

Reporting by Greta Cross, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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