Best-selling author Dame Jilly Cooper died aged 88 from a head injury sustained after a fall at her Gloucestershire home, an inquest has heard.
The beloved writer – renowned for her “bonkbusters” such as Riders, Rivals and Polo – was discovered by her family on October 4.
Dame Jilly was conscious when paramedics arrived and was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, the Gloucestershire Coroners’ Court heard.
However, her condition worsened and she died the following day, surrounded by loved ones.
Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, ruled her death was accidental, confirming it resulted from a traumatic subdural haematoma.
Skerrett said, “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.”
Over her celebrated career, Dame Jilly sold more than 11 million books in the UK, captivating readers with her vivid depictions of romance, scandal and upper-class life.
Following her death, tributes poured in, led by her children Felix and Emily.
“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.” They said.
Queen Camilla also paid tribute, saying, “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.”
Dubbed the “Queen of the bonkbuster”, Dame Jilly published her first book How To Stay Married in 1969, followed by How to Survive From Nine To Five in 1970.
Her most famous work, Riders, was released in 1985, while her 2002 novel Pandora spent 19 weeks on the bestseller list.
Her book Rivals was recently adapted into a Disney+ series starring David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Danny Dyer and Katherine Parkinson.
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