'A Woman of Substance' author Barbara Taylor Bradford (91) dies
What's the story
Barbara Taylor Bradford, the celebrated author of the international bestseller A Woman of Substance, has died. She was 91. Per reports, Bradford died on Monday (local time) after a brief illness at her home in New York City. Her publisher Harper Collins confirmed her death. Harper Collins CEO Charlie Redmayne paid tribute to Bradford as a "truly exceptional writer." May she rest in peace.
Early life
Bradford's journey from Leeds to international acclaim
Born in Leeds in 1933, Bradford developed a love for books early on. She moved to London in her 20s and started her writing career. Despite leaving school at 16 against her parents' wishes, she became a reporter for the Yorkshire Evening Post. Over the next three decades, she held various roles including fashion editor of Woman's Own Magazine and columnist for a US syndicated column on interior design.
Literary success
Bradford's debut novel sold 30M copies worldwide
In 1979, Bradford released her debut novel A Woman of Substance, a rags-to-riches tale of protagonist Emma Harte and her family's retail empire. The book sold over 30 million copies worldwide and shot Bradford to stardom. She wrote six more books in the series. In 1984, A Woman of Substance was adapted into a Channel 4 drama series which set a viewership record with 14 million viewers and received two Emmy nominations.
Prolific career
Bradford's other works and tributes
Beyond the Emma Harte series, nine more of Bradford's books were adapted into TV mini-series or films. She also wrote other popular series like the Ravenscar trilogy, Cavendon Chronicles, and House of Falconer trilogy. Her last novel was The Wonder Of It All, published in 2023. Lynne Drew, her publisher and editor at Harper Collins, praised Bradford for "dominating the bestseller lists" and "breaking new ground with her sweeping epic novels spanning generations."
Lasting impact
Bradford's personal life and legacy
Bradford was married to German-born film producer Robert Bradford for 56 years until his death in 2019. Her net worth was estimated at over $200 million and she received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2007. Her books have been translated into 40 languages and sold over 90 million copies worldwide. Jenny Seagrove, who starred in the TV adaptation of A Woman of Substance, remembered Bradford as a "powerhouse of glamor and warmth" who remained grounded despite her success.