British author Jilly Cooper has died at the age of 88 after a fall - with her children describing her sudden death as a "complete shock." The beloved writer of romance novels including Rivals, Riders and Polo died on the morning of Sunday, October 5, per The Hollywood Reporter. Cooper's son and daughter Felix and Emily released an emotional statement confirming the sad news. "Mum was the shining light of all of our lives," they wrote. "Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock.