Overview

• Her family said she died on Sunday following a fall and described the loss as a complete shock.
• A private funeral will be held in line with her wishes, with a public service of thanksgiving to follow at Southwark Cathedral.
• Cooper sold about 11 million books in the UK over more than five decades and was made a Dame in 2024.
• Rivals was recently adapted for Disney+, which she executive produced, starring David Tennant and Aidan Turner, with a second season in production.
• Agent Felicity Blunt and publisher Bill Scott-Kerr praised her as a trailblazer whose so-called bonkbusters doubled as sharp social satire.