Sophie Kinsella, the celebrated author behind “Confessions of a Shopaholic” and its best-selling sequels, passed away on Monday, as confirmed by her family. She was 55 years old and had been battling brain cancer.

In a heartfelt statement posted on Kinsella’s Instagram account, her family shared: “We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Sophie (also known as Maddy and Mummy) this morning. She passed peacefully, surrounded by the things she loved most: family, music, warmth, Christmas, and joy.

“Her radiant spirit and zest for life will be dearly missed,” the statement continued.

Writing under her real name, Madeleine Wickham, Kinsella revealed in April 2024 that she was diagnosed in late 2022 with glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive type of brain cancer.

“I chose not to share this earlier because I wanted to give my children the space to process the news privately and adjust to our ‘new normal,’” she explained at the time.

Kinsella’s journey as an author began in 2000 with the release of “The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic” (known as “Confessions of a Shopaholic” in the U.S.), a story about a financial journalist who ironically struggles with her own finances. Over the years, she published 10 novels in the “Shopaholic” series, along with other works of fiction. Her books have enjoyed immense popularity, selling over 45 million copies globally and being translated into numerous languages.

The first two “Shopaholic” books were adapted into the 2009 film “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” starring Isla Fisher.