Barbara Taylor Bradford: The British writer is dead

The British novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford (1933 – 2024) has died at the age of 91. She was particularly known for her bestseller “Des Lebens Bitter Süße” (original title: “A Woman of Substance”) from 1979. According to her spokeswoman, the writer died peacefully in her home on Sunday (November 24th) after a short illness was “surrounded by her loved ones until the end,” reports .

The publication of her novel “A Woman of Substance” made Taylor Bradford an overnight best-selling author. It is the story of a young woman named Emma Harte who goes from a life as a maid in rural Yorkshire to running a film empire. The book sold 30 million copies and spawned seven sequels and a TV adaptation.

Taylor Bradford has often been referred to as the “grande dame of blockbusters” throughout her career, as several of her books have been turned into television series. She wrote a total of 40 novels – her works also include the book series “The Ravenscar Dynasty”, “Cavendon Hall” and “House of Falconer”.

“She dominated the bestseller lists and broke new ground with her stirring, epic novels that spanned generations. These novels were definitely not romances and she embodied the woman of substance she created, especially with her relentless work ethic,” says Taylor Bradford’s publisher and Editor Lynne Drew quoted in a statement on the death of the best-selling author.