The late bestselling author Jilly Cooper left behind an estate worth more than £8.5 million, which will be shared equally among her children and stepdaughter following her death last year.
The celebrated writer passed away on October 5, 2025, at the age of 88 after suffering a head injury caused by a fall at her home in Gloucestershire. Probate records reveal that her estate had a gross value of more than £9 million, with a net value of approximately £8.56 million.
Her children, Felix and Emily, along with her stepdaughter Laura, were named as beneficiaries and will each receive an equal share of the inheritance.Jilly Cooper became one of Britain’s most successful and recognizable authors through her hugely popular novels, often referred to as “bonkbusters.”
Her best-known works include Riders, Rivals, Polo, Mount! and The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous. Her final novel, Tackle!, continued her long-running Rutshire Chronicles series.Her popularity has experienced a resurgence among younger audiences thanks to the television adaptation of Rivals, which became a major hit and introduced her stories to a new generation of fans.
Known for her witty storytelling and memorable characters, Cooper often drew inspiration from people and experiences around her. Her fictional hero Rupert Campbell-Black was partly inspired by Andrew Parker Bowles, the former husband of Queen Camilla.
First published in 1985, Riders became one of her most celebrated novels and earned recognition as one of the most important English-language romance novels. Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, Cooper built a loyal readership with stories that explored love, ambition, rivalry, class and relationships.
Following her death, tributes poured in from across the literary world, with many praising her lasting influence on British popular fiction and her unique ability to combine humor, romance and sharp social observation.Her legacy continues through her bestselling books, television adaptations and the generations of readers who have enjoyed her work.
