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| Jackie Collins has died aged 77 after a long battle with breast cancer |
The English novelist Jackie Collins has died in Los Angeles at the age of 77 after a long battle with breast cancer.
The younger sister of actress Joan Collins was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer more than six years ago but kept her illness almost entirely to herself.
A spokesman for her family said: 'It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of our beautiful, dynamic and one of a kind mother, Jackie Collins, who died of breast cancer today.
'She lived a wonderfully full life and was adored by her family, friends and the millions of readers who she has been entertaining for over four decades.
'She was a true inspiration, a trail blazer for women in fiction and a creative force. She will live on through her characters but we already miss her beyond words.'
Her sister Joan, 82, said she was 'completely devastated' to lose her 'best friend'.
Sir Roger Moore, Sandra Bullock and Oprah were among the celebrities who paid tribute yesterday evening.
The best-selling author had spoken to her three daughters Tracy, 54, Tiffany, 48, and Rory, 46, about her illness.
She gave an interview from her home in Beverly Hills five days ago, saying she had no regrets.
Collins said she had lived life like Frank Sinatra, and 'did it my way'.
In the interview with People magazine, she said: 'Looking back, I'm not sorry about anything I did.
'I did it my way, as Frank Sinatra would say. I've written five books since the diagnosis, I've lived my life, I've traveled all over the world, I have not turned down book tours and no one has ever known until now when I feel as though I should come out with it.'
During the emotional interview, Collins - who also has a brother and six grandchildren - said that her family had always been her greatest love.
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| Collins said she always wanted her three daughters (pictured with her as children) to know she was there for them |
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| Jackie Collins was famed for her style and fashion sense, as well as her wit and writing ability |
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| Married: Actress Jackie Collins on her wedding day, alongside her first of three husbands Wallace Austin |
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| During the emotional interview, Collins (pictured) - who also has a brother and six grandchildren - said that her family had always been her greatest love |
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| Collins (right) gave an interview from her home in Beverly Hills five days ago, saying she had no regrets |
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The best-selling author (left), who is the sister of actress Joan Collins (right), was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer more than six years ago
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