Confessions of a Shopaholic author Sophie Kinsella has died after being diagnosed with an "aggressive" form of brain cancer. She was 55. Kinsella's family confirmed the news on Wednesday, December 10, writing via Instagram, "We are heartbroken to announce the passing this morning of our beloved Sophie (aka Maddy, aka Mummy). She died peacefully, with her final days filled with her true loves: family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy." The writer, whose real name was Madeleine Wickham, battled a form of glioblastoma brain cancer for three years.