Sophie Kinsella (real name: Madeleine Sophie Wickham) was battling a malignant brain tumor during the last few years of her life. The Shopaholic book series author, whose work was adapted for the hit 2009 film Confessions of a Shopaholic , died at the age of 55 in December 2025 — one year after she revealed her illness to the public.

“We are heartbroken to announce the passing this morning of our beloved Sophie (aka Maddy, aka Mummy),” Kinsella’s family wrote in a statement shared to her Instagram page on December 10, 2025. “She died peacefully, with her final days filled with her true loves: family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy.”

Kinsella’s family continued, “We can’t imagine what life will be like without her radiance and love of life. Despite her illness, which

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