Dame Jilly Cooper, celebrated author of the Rutshire Chronicles and beloved novel Rivals, has passed away at the age of 88. Her sudden death on 5 October, following a fall, has deeply saddened her family, fans, and collaborators.
Her children, Felix and Emily Cooper, shared a touching statement: “Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for family and friends knew no bounds. We are immensely proud of all that she achieved and cannot imagine life without her infectious smile and laughter.”
Jilly Cooper’s legacy is cemented by her bestselling Rutshire Chronicles, a series that includes Riders, Rivals, and Polo, capturing the drama and glamour of English upper-class life.
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The production company behind the revered television adaptation of Rivals, Happy Prince, expressed their sorrow and gratitude on Instagram. They wrote: “We are heartbroken. Jilly was, and always will be, one of the world’s greatest storytellers. Working alongside her to bring her extraordinary novels to television was a true honour.”
Reflecting on their close relationship, they added: “From brainstorming storylines on her sitting room floor to sharing laughter at her kitchen table, every moment with Jilly was simply marvellous. Her sharp wit, wisdom, and sparkling presence on set brought Rutshire to life in ways that will endure forever.”
The cast of the series also paid their respects online. Danny Dyer, who plays Freddie Jones, responded with heartfelt love heart emojis. Gary Lamont, portraying Charles Fairburn, remarked, “There is nothing like a Dame. A privilege to have been in her orbit.”
Lisa McGrillis (Valerie Jones) called her “darling Jilly,” while Victoria Smurfit (Maud O’Hara) mourned, “Devastating—our Queen is in the sky.” Annabel Scholey (Beattie Johnson) reflected, “What an incredible force she was. I feel very lucky to have crossed paths with her.”
Jilly Cooper’s enduring stories continue to captivate audiences, with the Rivals series currently available to stream on Disney+.