Barbara Taylor Bradford, Author of Bestselling Novel ‘A Woman of Substance’, Dies at 91

Barbara Taylor Bradford, Author of Bestselling Novel ‘A Woman of Substance’, Dies at 91

As a lifelong admirer of Barbara Taylor Bradford‘s captivating storytelling, I was deeply saddened to learn of her passing at the grand age of 91. Her tales of resilient young women navigating their way through life’s challenges and ultimately triumphing over adversity have been a source of inspiration for me, much like the very characters she so masterfully crafted.


The renowned British-American writer Barbara Taylor Bradford, well known for penning the popular 1979 novel “A Woman of Substance“, has passed away at the age of 91.

On Sunday, it was confirmed by a representative that Bradford had passed away at her residence in New York City.

Barbara Taylor Bradford’s ‘A Woman of Substance’ has been a global hit, selling more than 30 million copies. It was also transformed into a critically acclaimed Channel 4 miniseries, featuring Jenny Seagrove in the leading role. The series earned two Emmy nominations.

Hailing from Leeds, England in 1933, Bradford initially embarked on a journalism career before transitioning to writing novels. Her narratives frequently revolved around the transformative journeys of young women rising from rags to riches. Achieving success in both the U.K. and U.S., Bradford authored an impressive 40 books throughout her career. Some other well-known works by her include “Ravenscar,” “Cavendon,” and the “House of Falconer” series.

Over the course of her career, nine additional novels of hers were adapted into TV shows or movies, with each production being handled by Robert E. Bradford, her husband and a well-known American film producer who passed away in 2019.

In an homage, Lynne Drew, her publisher and editor, shared with BBC on Monday: “She consistently topped the bestseller charts, pioneering new territories with her expansive novels that transcended generations. These novels were distinctly non-romantic in nature, and she embodied the strong, substantial character she portrayed, particularly through her relentless dedication to work.

Charlie Redmayne, head of publishing company HarperCollins, stated: “Barbara Taylor Bradford was an extraordinary author whose debut novel, the globally acclaimed A Woman of Substance, has significantly impacted countless readers’ lives – a fact that remains true to this day.

She was “a natural storyteller”, Redmayne said, as well as “a great, great friend”.

Read More

Sorry. No data so far.

2024-11-25 15:24