Dame Jilly Cooper, Author of 'Riders' and 'Rivals', Dies at 88
Dame Jilly Cooper, the celebrated British author known for her best-selling novels, including Riders and Rivals, has passed away at the age of 88. Her death, following a fall at her home in Gloucestershire on Sunday, October 5th, 2025, marks the end of an era for a writer who captivated millions with her witty and often risqué portrayals of the British upper class.
A Literary Icon and Creator of the "Bonkbuster" Genre
Jilly Cooper rose to prominence in the 1980s with her Rutshire Chronicles series. These novels, starting with Riders in 1985, offered readers a glimpse into the scandalous lives, romantic entanglements, and social circles of the wealthy, horse-loving elite. Her work quickly became synonymous with the "bonkbuster" genre, a label she both embraced and playfully resisted. Over her career, she sold over 11 million books in the UK alone.
Beyond the steamy romance, Cooper's novels provided insightful social commentary, exploring themes of class, marriage, rivalry, and grief with sharp wit and keen observation. As her agent, Felicity Blunt, noted, there was something "Austenesque" in her dissections of society's prejudices and norms.
'Rivals' Revival: From Page to Screen
In recent years, Cooper's work experienced a resurgence in popularity thanks to the Disney+ adaptation of her 1988 novel, Rivals. The series, featuring an all-star cast including David Tennant and Alex Hassell, brought her characters to a new generation of viewers and cemented her legacy as a cultural icon. Season two is currently in production and slated for release next year.
The success of Rivals on screen demonstrated the enduring appeal of Cooper's storytelling and her ability to create characters that resonate with audiences across generations. The adaptation helped transform her home region into 'the Hotswolds'.
Tributes Pour In From Across the UK
News of Dame Jilly Cooper's passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow writers, celebrities, and fans alike. Queen Camilla led the tributes, describing Cooper as "a legend" and "a wonderfully witty and compassionate friend." She added: "May her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs."
Other notable figures offering their condolences include Helen Lederer, Gyles Brandreth, Piers Morgan, and Adam Kay, all of whom lauded her wit, warmth, and contribution to British culture. The executive producers of the Rivals adaptation, Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Alex Lamb, shared fond memories of working with her, recalling her "scoldings and heaps of wisdom."
A Life Dedicated to Literature and Observation
Born in Essex in 1937, Jilly Cooper began her career as a journalist before finding her true calling as a novelist. Her first book, How to Stay Married, was published in 1969. Her non-fiction guides explored marriage and the British class system before achieving success with her romance novels. She married Leo Cooper in 1961 and remained married until his death in 2013.
Cooper was awarded a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in 2004 for her services to literature and charity and received her Damehood in the 2024 King's New Year's Honours. She leaves behind a legacy of laughter, romance, and social commentary that will continue to entertain and inspire readers for generations to come.
Remembering Jilly Cooper's Desert Island Discs
In 2016, Jilly Cooper appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, where she chose her favorite songs, including Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" and Bob Marley's "Buffalo Soldier."
