Author Wilbur Smith dies unexpectedly at home aged 88 with wife by his side
Bestselling author Wilbur Smith has died "unexpectedly" at home, aged 88.
A statement published on the Wilbur Smith Books website said: "Global bestselling author Wilbur Smith died unexpectedly this afternoon at his Cape Town home after a morning of reading and writing with his wife Niso by his side."
The author sold more than 140 million copies of his books worldwide and gained recognition with his debut novel When the Lion Feeds in 1964.
The book, which told the story of a young man growing up on a South African cattle ranch, was partly based on Smith's own experiences after shooting dead a lion attacking cattle on his dad's farm when he was just 13-years-old.
Kevin Conroy Scott, literary agent for Wilbur Smith for the past 11 years, said: "Wilbur Smith was an icon, larger than life, beloved by his fans who collected his books in hardbacks and passed his work down through generations, fathers to sons and mothers to daughters.
The author sold more than 140 million copies of his books worldwide ( Agf/REX/Shutterstock) "His knowledge of Africa, and his imagination knew no limitations. His work ethic and his powerful, elegant writing style made him known to millions.
"I cherish the role of working side by side with his wife Niso and the Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation to keep the flame of his fictional universe alive for many years to come."
Born in January 1933 in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, his other bestsellers included The River God and The Triumph of the Sun.
Kate Parkin, managing director of adult trade publishing for Bonnier Books UK added: "It is with deep sadness that we mourn the death of our beloved author Wilbur Smith whose seemingly inexhaustible creative energy and passion for storytelling will long live on in the hearts and minds of readers everywhere.
"Wilbur never lost his appetite for writing and remained working every day of his life. He leaves behind him a treasure-trove of novels, as well as completed and yet to be published co-authored books and outlines for future stories.
"It has been a privilege and an honour to work closely with him on this remarkable publishing legacy and we look forward to sharing them with his millions of fans worldwide in years to come."
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