(RepublicanDaily.org) – Sophie Kinsella, the author most known for her “Confessions of a Shopaholic” series of novels, has revealed that she has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.
The 54-year-old writer, whose real name is Madeleine Wickham, made the heartfelt announcement to fans and followers through a video message posted on her Instagram account.
Kinsella related that she was diagnosed with glioblastoma during the tail end of 2022, and put off making her condition public as she needed to build up the “strength to do so,” and in order for her children “to hear and process the news in privacy and adapt to our ‘new normal.’”
Glioblastoma is a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. The author, who lives in the U.K. with her husband and two children, said that she was under the care of the “excellent” team at London’s University College Hospital, and is still undergoing treatment for her illness. She also disclosed that she has undergone surgery – which she said was successful – and is currently on radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The author also thanked her fans and supporters for the “wave of love” she said she has felt.
According to her website, Kinsella has sold more than 45 million copies of her books around the world, with translations in more than 40 other languages in more than five dozen countries.
The main character of her novels, a woman named Becky Bloomwood, has become a literary icon, with many relating to Bloomwood’s struggles with money, relationships, and life in general. The success of Confessions of a Shopaholic also prompted a movie adaptation in 2009, with Isla Fisher playing the titular character. Fisher also sent a message to Kinsella after the latter’s announcement, writing, “Sending you so much love and healing energy,” in the comments section of Kinsella’s IG post.
Kinsella’s most recent work is entitled “The Burnout,” a romantic comedy novel that was released in October last year.
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