‘Shopaholic’ author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer battle: ‘A difficult time’

Taylor Knight
·2 min read
Sophia Kinsella, the author of the best-selling
Sophie Kinsella, who writes the best-selling "Shopaholic" series, revealed this week that she has been battling brain cancer for more than a year.
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Sophie Kinsella, who writes the best-selling “Shopaholic” series, revealed this week that she has been battling brain cancer for more than a year.

“I’ve wanted for a long time to share with you a health update and I’ve been waiting for the strength to do so,” she penned Wednesday on Instagram. “At the end of 2022, I was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of aggressive brain cancer.”

Glioblastoma is a fast-growing cancer that starts in the brain or spinal cord, according to the Mayo Clinic, which notes that there is no cure but treatments aim to slow the cancer growth and reduce symptoms.

“I have been under the care of the excellent team at University College Hospital in London and have had successful surgery and subsequent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which is still ongoing,” added Kinsella, 54.

Kinsella — who has four sons and a daughter — has sold over 45 million copies of her books in more than 60 countries, according to her website. Getty Images
Kinsella — who has four sons and a daughter — has sold over 45 million copies of her books in more than 60 countries, according to her website. Getty Images

The author, who lives in the UK with her husband, Henry Wickham, waited over a year to publicly announce her diagnosis because she wanted her five children to process the news and learn how to adapt to their “new normal.”

She remains resilient and optimistic in her progress, thanks to the love and support from family and friends.

“At the moment all is stable and I am feeling generally very well, though I get very tired and my memory is even worse than it was before,” confessed Kinsella, who has also published novels as Madeleine Wickham.

“I have been under the care of the excellent team at University College Hospital in London and have had successful surgery and subsequent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which is still ongoing,” said Kinsella, 54. Getty Images
“I have been under the care of the excellent team at University College Hospital in London and have had successful surgery and subsequent radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which is still ongoing,” said Kinsella, 54. Getty Images

Kinsella — who has four sons and a daughter — has sold over 45 million copies in more than 60 countries, according to her website. 

“I am also so grateful to my readers for your constant support. The wonderful response to ‘The Burnout’ has really buoyed me up, during a difficult time,” Kinsella praised in her Instagram message.

“The Burnout” was released on Oct. 10, earning a 3.7 Goodreads rating out of 5.

“The Burnout” was released on Oct. 10, earning a 3.7 Goodreads rating out of 5. Instagram / @sophiekinsellawriter
“The Burnout” was released on Oct. 10, earning a 3.7 Goodreads rating out of 5. Instagram / @sophiekinsellawriter

Kinsella also wrote a special note to those who are battling cancer as well, offering words of encouragement.

“To everyone who is suffering from cancer in any form I send love and best wishes, as well as to those who support them,” she said.

“It can feel very lonely and scary to have a tough diagnosis, and the support and care of those around you means more than words can say,” she continued.