14 DAY TRIAL // Prolific and very successful author Jackie Collins, 77, has died, her family confirms in a statement to People Magazine. Mrs. Collins, who is survived by 3 daughters, had been battling breast cancer, having been diagnosed for the first time almost 6 and a half years ago.
On September 14, she spoke to People to reveal the diagnosis and explain why she chose to keep it a secret. It would be her final press interview.
Jackie Collins did it her way
In a statement to the media, the family announces Mrs. Collins’ passing: “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 4 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.”
TV icon Joan Collins, Jackie’s sister, has also issued a statement, praising her for the graceful and very courageous way in which she handled her diagnosis, both in her relationship with the press and with her family.
As noted above, earlier this month, Mrs. Collins told People about the cancer and explained why she chose not to make the diagnosis known to the public: she refused to let it define her.
Since being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, she wrote more books, traveled the world and made sure she spent every day with her family, whom she considered her biggest and most proud achievement. As an author - and the so-called Queen of the “Bonkbuster” - Mrs. Collins sold over 500 million copies of her books, but she confessed nothing gave her more pleasure in life than knowing she had such a wonderful, loving family.
She said she felt the time had come to “come out with it” and go public with the diagnosis because she could no longer honor her commitments as before. She also wanted “to save people’s lives” by telling them of the importance of regular screenings.
A good deed
As news of Mrs. Collins’ death spreads, the family wants the fans to know that there will be two memorial services held, one in the UK and one in the US. However, both will be private, so only family members and close friends will be able to attend.
Those who wish to send the family their condolences can do so by fulfilling Mrs. Collins’ dying wish of saving people’s lives and, instead of flowers, make donations to breast cancer organizations.
For fans in the US, that would be the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Organization, and for those in the UK, the Penny Brohn Cancer Care.