Beloved author Dame Jilly Cooper died from ‘significant’ head injury

A best-selling author known for her racy novels died following a “significant” head injury, an inquest into her death has found.

Best-selling author Dame Jilly Cooper died aged 88 from a head injury after suffering a fall at her home, an inquest heard.

The much-loved writer – known for her “bonkbusters” including Riders, Rivals and Polo – was found by her family in Gloucestershire on October 4.

Dame Jilly was initially alert and transferred by paramedics to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucestershire Coroners’ Court heard.

Sadly, her condition deteriorated and she died a day later surrounded by her family.

Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, reached a conclusion of accidental death following the inquest.

She also said Dame Jilly died as a result of a traumatic subdural haematoma.

Dame Jilly Cooper in May 2024. Picture: AFP

Ms Skerrett added: “The circumstances surrounding her tragic death were she had suffered an unwitnessed fall at her home address on October 4.

“She fell, perhaps down some stairs, sustaining a significant head injury.

“There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her fall. She passed away later, on October 5, with family present.

“This is a case of accidental death, the accident being the unwitnessed fall by Dame Cooper at Dame Cooper’s address, triggering the tragic events that thereafter followed.

“May this office extend their sincere condolences to Dame Cooper’s family.”

Dame Jilly sold over 11 million copies of her books in the UK alone.

Her steamy novels often portrayed the scandals and sex lives of wealthy country social circles.

After her death, tributes flooded in for the writer, led by her devastated children Felix and Emily.

They said: “Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock. 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.”

Even Queen Camilla paid tribute after Dame Jilly’s death.

Racy novels like “WICKED!” were worldwide hits.

Queen Camilla also paid tribute to Dame Jilly following the tragedy.

She said: “I was so saddened to learn of Dame Jilly’s death last night.

“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.

“In person she was a wonderfully witty and compassionate friend to me and so many – and it was a particular pleasure to see her just a few weeks ago at my Queen’s Reading Room Festival where she was, as ever, a star of the show.

“I join my husband The King in sending our thoughts and sympathies to all her family.

“And may her hereafter be filled with impossibly handsome men and devoted dogs.”

She was dubbed “queen of the bonkbusters” for her racy novels.

Dame Jilly, who was dubbed ‘Queen of the bonkbuster’ for her raunchy novels, published her first book, How To Stay Married, in 1969.

This was quickly followed by a guide, How to Survive From Nine To Five, in 1970.

Her fourteenth novel, Pandora, was published in 2002 and spent 19 weeks on the bestseller list.

Probably her most famous book is Riders, which was published in 1985.

Her book Rivals was recently adapted as a hit television series by Disney+ starring David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Danny Dyer and Katherine Parkinson.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as Beloved author Dame Jilly Cooper died from ‘significant’ head injury