Jilly Cooper was an English author and journalist, and was widely known for her romantic novel series, Rutshire Chronicles. However, the best-selling author’s life was cut short on October 5, 2025, after she passed away at the age of 88. She is recognised for her works, including Rivals and Riders. Besides being a celebrated author, Jilly was also a journalist.
Coming to her personal life, she was married to Leo Cooper, a publisher of military history books. Although Jilly had a successful career, her personal life was filled with struggles. But do you know that the Rutshire Chronicles’ author had a turbulent married life with her husband? Yes, you read it right. Let’s dive deep in to know more about the couple and their tumultuous relationship.
Jilly Cooper tied the knot with Leo Cooper in 1961
Jilly Cooper tied the knot with sportsman and publisher, Leo Cooper, in 1961. The duo had known each other since childhood. At the age of 24, Jilly got married to Leo, who was 27 at the time. Due to infertility, the couple couldn’t have biological children. Later, they adopted two children, Felix and Emily, after an ectopic pregnancy. Now, Felix is 55 and Emily is 52.
Jilly Cooper and Leo Cooper’s married life hit a rough patch due to the latter’s affair with publisher, Sarah Johnson
Jilly and Leo’s marriage hit a rough patch in 1990. The publisher of military history books, Leo, cheated on his wife with Sarah Johnson, the publisher. It was Sarah who revealed to a leading newspaper in 1990 that she and Leo had an affair for six years. She claimed that the reason behind her confession was Jilly’s constant portrayal of having a perfect relationship with her husband, Leo. Although the infidelity broke Jilly’s heart, she later forgave Leo.
The couple decided to give their relationship another chance and reunited. To start afresh, the duo moved from London to the countryside in Gloucestershire during the 1980s. On the other hand, Jilly also had a fling with James Bond actor, Sean Connery, and the two kissed while they were both married. Although their marriage was a rollercoaster ride, it is worth mentioning that Jilly spent 53 years with Leo, until the latter’s death in 2013.
More about Jilly Cooper and her death
Jilly Cooper was a popular author, well known for her bold and romantic novels. She published her first novel in 1975, and her most famous novel series was the Rutshire Chronicles. She rose to fame in the 1980s with bestsellers like Riders and Rivals and continued writing successfully for several years.
Before becoming an author, she worked as a journalist. Her breakthrough came when Godfrey Smith, the editor of The Sunday Times Magazine, asked her to write about her experiences at a dinner party. She also had her own column, where she wrote about various topics, including sex, marriage, and housework.
However, Jilly Cooper sadly passed away on October 5, 2025, after a fall. Her death was confirmed the next day by her adopted children, Felix and Emily, who expressed their grief and shock about the matter. They issued a statement and expressed how much their mom meant to them. The statement can be read as:
“Mum was the shining light in all of our lives. Her love for all of her family and friends knew no bounds. Her unexpected death has come as a complete shock. We are so proud of everything she achieved in her life and can’t begin to imagine life without her infectious smile and laughter all around us.”
What are your thoughts on Jilly Cooper and Leo Cooper’s tumultuous relationship? Let us know.
Also Read: Lewis Moody Diagnosed With Motor Neurone Disease: Meet His Wife, Annie, Who Fuels His Battle Vs MND