"Confessions of a Shopaholic" Author Sophie Kinsella's Brain Cancer

Author of the “Confessions of a Shopaholic” series, Sophie Kinsella, passed away after a battle with brain cancer at age 55. Her family announced her passing on Instagram on December 10 2025.

The British writer, whose real name is Madeleine Sophie Wickham, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer at the end of 2022, also known as glioblastoma. She announced the diagnosis only in April 2024, in an effort to provide her children with some time to understand and accept the diagnosis.

Kinsella is survived by her husband, Henry Wickham (also her literary manager), and five children — Freddy, Hugo, Oscar, Rex and Sybella.

Glioblastoma is the most common type of brain cancer. The disease starts in cells called astrocytes, star-shaped cells which form part of the blood brain barrier and work to support nerve cells. Unfortunately, this is the fastest growing type of brain tumor, and tends to quickly spread into surrounding tissue.

The median survival rate for glioblastoma is slightly over a year, at 14.6 months, according to the Glioblastoma Research Organization.

Kinsella rose to fame within the field of fiction after the release of her novel, “Confessions of a Shopaholic” in 2000. The series centered around a journalist, and her adventures in shopping, life, and getting in over her head with debt.

It eventually grew to ten books, with the last book in the series, Christmas Shopaholic, released in 2019. A film about the first book was released in 2009, starring Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy. Kinsella established an international following, with over 45 million copies of her books sold, and translations in over 40 languages.

Kinsella was treated at the University College Hospital in London and underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

When announcing her diagnosis, Kinsella also left some words of comfort for those facing the same as her: "To everyone who is suffering from cancer in any form, I send love and best wishes, as well as to those who support them. It can feel very lonely and scary to have a tough diagnosis, and the support and care of those around you means more than words can say."

In the three years since her diagnosis, she continued to be active online with her community, promoting brain cancer awareness events, and highlighting others’ experiences with brain cancer. One of the clinical trials highlighted by Kinsella in July 2025, was the University College London sponsored Win-Glio trial. The trial was also funded by fundraising carried out by British politician Dame Siobhain McDonagh, in memory of her sister, Baroness Margaret McDonagh.