Best-Selling Author Jackie Collins, 77, Has Died From Breast Cancer

Collins, sister of actress Joan Collins, was the author of more than 30 books.
From: NewNowNext

 Celebrated novelist Jackie Collins died today after a battle against breast cancer.

“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,” the Collins family told People magazine in a statement.

“She lived a wonderfully full life and was adored by her family, friends and the millions of readers who she has been entertaining for over four decades. She was a true inspiration, a trailblazer for women in fiction and a creative force. She will live on through her characters but we already miss her beyond words.”

Collins, 77, is survived by her sister, actress Joan Collins, brother Bill Collins, three daughters—Tracy, 54, Tiffany, 48, and Rory, 46—and six grandchildren.

The London-born writer was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2007, but decided to keep her illness private.

“I’ve written five books since the diagnosis, I’ve lived my life, I’ve traveled 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 told the magazine earlier this month. “Now I want to save other people’s lives.”

More than 500 million copies of Collins’ 30+ novels—which included Chances, Lucky, Hollywood Wives and Rock Star—have been sold worldwide. Several have been turned into feature films and TV miniseries.

She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2013.

In lieu of flowers, the Collins family is asking fans to make a donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization (in the U.S.) and Penny Brohn Cancer Care (in the U.K.).