Dame Jilly Cooper, one of Britain’s most celebrated and bestselling authors, lived a life as colorful and dramatic as the stories she wrote. Best known for her racy, witty, and wildly entertaining novels like Riders and Rivals, Cooper’s personal life also had its fair share of love, loss, and resilience. While her exact net worth remains undisclosed, her literary success, long marriage, and family legacy paint a portrait of a woman who defined glamour, humor, and heart in British fiction.
Jilly Cooper’s Marriage and Personal Life
Jilly Cooper was married to Leo Cooper, a well-known publisher and former Army officer. The couple tied the knot in 1961 and remained married for over 50 years until Leo’s passing in December 2013 at the age of 79. Leo suffered from Parkinson’s disease for more than a decade, and Jilly lovingly cared for him in their Gloucestershire home until his death.
Their marriage wasn’t without its trials. In the 1990s, Leo had an affair with his secretary, Sarah Johnson. In a candid BBC documentary titled In My Own Words, Jilly reflected on that painful period, saying, “My husband was a lovely man, but he fell in love with someone else. And that’s what happened.” Despite the heartbreak, the Coopers reconciled and remained together until his death—a testament to her grace and strength.
Family and Children
Unable to have biological children, Dame Jilly Cooper adopted two children, Felix and Emily, whom she often described as her greatest joy. She once said in an interview with Community Care:
“I adopted because I couldn’t have children of my own. They were a wonderful gift. I can’t bear the thought of children not being loved.”
Her family later grew to include five grandchildren—Jago, Lysander, Acer, Scarlett, and Sienna—whom she adored and often mentioned fondly in interviews.
Career Success and Net Worth
While Jilly Cooper’s net worth was never publicly confirmed, she undoubtedly accumulated significant wealth through her decades-long writing career. Her novels, including Polo, The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, and Rivals, became instant bestsellers and cultural phenomena, selling millions of copies worldwide.
In 2006, Jilly revealed to the Daily Mail that she and Leo had bought their “lovely house in Gloucestershire” for £145,000 about 23 years earlier—a property now likely worth several million pounds.
Her income also came from journalism, television appearances, and adaptations of her novels. Jilly Cooper’s enduring popularity ensured she remained a household name, and her books continue to sell across generations.
A Glamorous Life: Her Kiss with James Bond
In true Jilly Cooper fashion, her life had its moments of romantic intrigue. She once cheekily revealed to The Mail on Sunday: “Sean Connery was gorgeous. I necked him.” The incident reportedly took place when the Coopers had the Connerys over for dinner in Fulham—proof that her flair for passion wasn’t just confined to her novels.
Legacy of a Literary Icon
Dame Jilly Cooper leaves behind a legacy of laughter, love, and literary brilliance. Her works redefined romantic fiction with a uniquely British charm, while her personal story reflected courage, forgiveness, and warmth.
