Barbara Taylor Bradford, author of the bestseller “A Woman of Substance”, has died at the age of 91

NEW YORK – Bestselling British-American author Barbara Taylor Bradford, whose first novel, “A Woman of Content,” became an overnight success, died Monday at the age of 91.

Taylor Bradford, who wrote 40 novels and sold 91 million books worldwide during her career, died peacefully at her home on Sunday after a short illness.

“She was surrounded by loved ones until the very end,” the spokeswoman said, adding that a private funeral would be held in New York.

“A Woman of Substance” tells the story of servant Emma Harte, who in Taylor Bradford’s hometown of Yorkshire, northern England, overcomes a humble start to become the head of a business empire, suffering a personal tragedy along the way.

Many of her subsequent novels were also set in Yorkshire and followed a similar theme of great success against the odds, fueled by perseverance and hard work.

Her latest novel, The Miracle of Everything, was published last year.

Born in Leeds in northern England in May 1933, Taylor Bradford began her professional career as a typist for the local newspaper, The Yorkshire Evening Post, before becoming a reporter.

At the age of 20, she moved to London, where she continued working as a journalist while immersing herself in the world of fiction.

She began writing several novels and abandoned them before striking gold with “A Woman of Substance,” which became an immediate success when published in 1979.

– “Power Plant” –

In 1985, a miniseries based on this novel was created, twice nominated for an Emmy Award, starring Liam Neeson and British actress Jenny Seagrove as Emma Harte.

Seagrove paid tribute to a “dear friend” and “the power of radiance and warmth.”

“Success never diminished her warmth and humor, or her ability to connect with anyone she met, whether a cleaning lady or a princess. She never, ever forgot that she was just a Yorkshire girl who worked hard and achieved success,” she said.

Charlie Redmayne, chief executive of publisher HarperCollins, described Taylor Bradford as a “truly exceptional writer.”

“‘A Woman Of Substance’ changed the lives of so many who read it – and continues to do so,” he said.

“She was a born storyteller, deeply proud of her Yorkshire roots. She was a huge part of our company for 45 years and a great, great friend – she will be greatly missed,” he added.

Taylor Bradford had lived in the United States since 1964, after marrying American film producer Robert Bradford a year earlier.

The couple was married for 55 years until his death in 2019.

Spokeswoman Taylor Bradford said she would be buried next to her late husband at Westchester Hills Cemetery in New York.