Jackie Collins Dies After Secret Battle With Breast Cancer
Jackie Collins, author of more than 30 best sellers, passed away today. Her family announced Jackie’s death to NBC News earlier today.
“It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of our beautiful, dynamic and one of a kind mother, Jackie Collins, who died of breast cancer today.
“She was a true inspiration, a trail blazer for women in fiction and a creative force. She will live on through her characters but we already miss her beyond words.”
The family also added that Collins “was adored by her family, friends and the millions of readers who she has been entertaining for over 4 decades.”
Jackie was a hugely successful author, most of her novels were about the glitzy and glamorous life of Hollywood. Many of Collins’ books, such as her 1983 Hollywood Wives, spawned either movies or television series. The Santangelos, which is about an American-Italian family Collins has written about in several previous novels, was her latest work.
Collins wrote her first novel The World is Full of Married Men in 1968, and it was banned in South Africa and Australia. Her next novel was The Stud, published in 1969. Both novels made the best seller lists. Thus began the literary works of one of the world’s most prolific writers.
Jackie Collins told People just a few days ago on September 14 about her diagnosis. Collins said that she received the news six-and-a-half years ago, and decided to keep the news about the cancer a secret from the press. Only her family knew about Collins’ cancer diagnosis. Collins told People that she had no regrets about keeping the news private and living a full life.
“I did it my way, as Frank Sinatra would say. I’ve written five books since the diagnosis, I’ve lived my life, I’ve travelled all over the world, I have not turned down book tours and no one has ever known until now when I feel as though I should come out with it,”
Collins is survived by her daughters, Tracy, 54, Tiffany, 48, and Rory, 46; her sister Joan Collins; her brother, Bill; and six grandchildren.
The family stated that they will hold private ceremonies both in the U.S. and the U.K. They are asking that friends and family donate to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization or Penny Brohn Cancer Care (in the U.K.) in lieu of flowers.
Collins will be missed in the literary world, but her works will live on.
Hollywood is mourning the passing of Collins. Several stars including Melissa Gilbert and Sharon Osbourne tweeted their condolences today.
Shocked & devastated at the death of @JackiejCollins. Loved & respected her. Thoughts & prayers go out to her family. pic.twitter.com/1RfmNEsm5G
— Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne) September 20, 2015
