After a nearly seven year battle with breast cancer British-born author Jackie Collins has died at the age of 77. Her first novel – “The World is Full of Married Men” – was published in 1968. Writing about sexy, wealthy, empowered women who lead insatiably erotic lives, Jackie Collins sold more than 500 million copies of her books in 40 countries – 30 of her books made the New York Times bestsellers list.
Born on October 4, 1937 to Oscar and Elsa Collins, Jackie was the younger sister of iconic actress Joan Collins. The novelist’s family issued this statement – “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.” Oscar Lerman – Jackie’s husband of 27 years – died in 1992.
Collins said that the inspiration for her books – which included “Hollywood Wives,” “American Star” and “The Bitch,”– came from research done in her husband’s nightclubs or at real Hollywood parties. The author once said that what really went on in the nightclubs and at the parties had to be toned down because the truth was even more bizarre. The actress turned author believed that her books were enormously successful because people wanted to know who the characters actually were.
It wasn’t about the money for Jackie Collins – and she never considered her books any great pieces of literature. In the 1980s Collins reached the level of fame usually reserved for film stars. Jackie Collins’ novel “Hollywood Wives” was nearly an overnight success – and was followed by “Hollywood Husbands.” These two novels have been called the definitive books about Hollywood life during that time period. By 1989 Jackie had expanded her writing career and had added the role consultant for the film adaption of “Rock Star.” Collins simultaneously had two 6-hours miniseries of her novels “Chances,” “Lucky” and Lady Boss” in production and was planning her next novel “Hollywood Kids.”
Jackie wrote every one of her books in longhand with a black felt-tip pen and every morning her assistant entered the previous day’s work into the computer. The original handwritten manuscripts have been preserved in leather-bound books in the library at her home in Beverly Hills. Even while battling stage four breast cancer Jackie Collins wrote five more novels – “The Santangeloes” was published in June. Sorry about the news – R.I.P. Jackie Collins
Jackie Collins: FameFlynet