Best-selling author Jackie Collins has died after a secret six-year battle with breast cancer. She was 77 years old.
Jackie was diagnosed with cancer in 2009 but decided to keep the illness to herself, telling only her three daughters, Tracy, 54, Tiffany, 48, and Rory, 46.
“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,” a statement read.
“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 trail blazer for women in fiction and a creative force. She will live on through her characters but we already miss her beyond words.”
In her last interview, given last week, Jackie told People magazine she had no regrets.
“Looking back, I’m not sorry about anything I did. I did it my way, as Frank Sinatra would say.”
“I’ve written five books since the diagnosis, I’ve lived my life, I’ve travelled 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.”
Jackie’s sister Joan Collins, 82, said she was “completely devastated” to lose her “best friend”.
Jackie in her prime.
She had been secretly battling cancer for more than six years.
Jackie was a bestselling actress.