McCullough wrote the 1977 sweeping saga set on an outback sheep station in Australia, The Thorn Birds, which sold 30 million copies worldwide and was made into a mini-series in 1983.
Her legacy includes 25 books, fans that include the former NSW premier Bob Carr and former Republican speaker of the US House of Representatives Newt Grinrich and that famed feminist Germaine Greer once described The Thorn Birds as “the best bad book” she had ever read.
McCullough, who was born in NSW, started her career as a neuroscientist in America before turning to writing.
Her books were intensely researched and included a fictional series set in Ancient Rome.
Critical reception of her books, and indeed of McCullough herself – a colourful character – was rather mixed. Not that McCullough gave a hoot.
A 1996 profile of her in The Philadelphia Inquirer described her as a woman “supremely unafflicted by self-doubt.”
In a 2007 interview she had this to say of her critics, “I think in their heart of hearts all these people know that I’m more secure than they are, more confident than they are and smarter than they are.”
McCullough was also forthcoming with her opinions on other writers – Jane Austen, “overrated” and JK Rowling, “lousy”.
McCullough once recalled that her husband, Norfolk islander Ric Robinson said to her that was rather lucky that she had tiny feet because they’re easier to get into her mouth.
McCullough lived her remarkable life well. She had a laugh that was described as hearty and “ike a drain”. Though her health had dimished greatly in recent years.
In 2013 she published her final book, Bittersweet, about four sisters, set in New South Wales in the 1920s.
Tributes for McCullough are rolling in.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said of McCullough,
“Colleen McCullough AO was one of Australia’s most-read authors. She enthralled readers for decades.
“Colleen McCullough was a unique Australian personality and Norfolk Island’s most famous resident.”
“She will be missed.”
