Remembering Barbara

;;
Barbara, 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Manhattan on 24 November 2024, following a short illness. She was surrounded by loved ones to the very end.

The outpouring of love and admiration for Barbara was truly moving. Media around the world honoured Barbara with wonderful pieces, and incredible tributes shared by readers flooded into the website.

Barbara’s funeral took place at Saint Thomas’s Church on Fifth Avenue, New York, and she was laid to rest alongside her beloved Bob. The Eulogy, given by Barbara’s close friend W. Randall Jones, can be read here.

Barbara’s journey as a storyteller began in her childhood in Leeds, where she wrote her first story at the age of seven. From her groundbreaking debut novel, A Woman of Substance, to her most recent work, The Wonder of It All, Barbara’s extraordinary career spanned over four decades and 40 bestselling novels. Her books have been translated into over 40 languages, touching the hearts of millions – and inspiring women everywhere with her extraordinary heroines.

In her personal life, Barbara married Hollywood producer Robert Bradford with whom she shared 55 very happy years. Together, they brought her stories to life on screen, including the Emmy-nominated adaptation of A Woman of Substance. Their love story mirrored the enduring themes of resilience and connection found in her books.

Despite her success, what mattered most to her was her readers and their response to her books. She and Bob read all the many letters, emails and cards sent to her over the years, and she adored hearing from the people who bought her books, whether at an event in person, or via an Amazon review or message sent to her. She knew her readers inside out as they knew her books and her characters.

Described as ‘the grand dame of blockbusters’, ‘Queen of the genre’, Barbara’s talents for creating unforgettable characters and sweeping narratives made her one of the most celebrated authors of our time. Among her many accolades, she was awarded five honorary doctorates and an OBE for her services to literature.

Barbara will be deeply missed but her books will live on, as we remember her as author, trailblazer, and the original woman of substance.

One of her last wishes was for The Barbara Taylor Bradford Trust to be set up to manage the literary and media rights for the 40 novels that she wrote. The Trust team is now actively working on a number of exciting projects so do sign up here to keep updated.

Team BTB will continue to provide updates on Facebook, Instagram and via the newsletter – do click through the links to keep up-to-date.

Tributes presented at the funeral of Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE

The Rt Hon Sir Tony Blair KG

I remember Barbara first and foremost because she was such a thoroughly approachable and lovable woman. Even with all the fame and the glamour, she had the strength of someone at ease with herself and the world. Her books meant so much to so many not only because they were wonderfully written but because she had an innate sense of people – what inspired them and what motivated them. And she realised that though material success was a common and powerful ambition which she shared, success should magnify and not diminish a person’s humanity and kindness.

I was very proud to know her and Bob. And she will remain for me an extraordinary example of a life well led.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

I was very proud to know her and Bob. And she will remain for me an extraordinary example of a life well led.

The Rt Hon Sir Tony Blair KG

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Cherie Blair CBE, KC

I can hardly believe it’s been over 20 years since I first met Barbara in New York. Tony and I were attending an event while he was UK Prime Minister. Although I can’t recall the specifics of the event, I vividly remember meeting Barbara and, of course, her beloved husband, Bob. Meeting her was such a thrill—not only because I had read her books, but also because she was a favourite author of both my mum and grandma. Barbara and I instantly connected as Northern girls who had ventured far from our roots, yet never forgot where we came from. At the time of our first meeting, Tony had not read any of Barbara’s books, but he was so struck by her intelligence, elegance, and charm that he subsequently watched the TV show and read the book!

Barbara and I stayed in touch, regularly meeting when I was in New York or when she was in London. One memory I treasure is attending the ‘A Woman of Substance’ Awards with her at the Dorchester in London in 2009. The awards were so typical of Barbara—her unwavering support for other women was truly inspiring. She even offered me invaluable advice when I was establishing my own foundation for women. Barbara seemed ageless. Whenever we met, she was always engaged, well-informed, feisty, and, of course, impeccably dressed. She was the epitome of a woman of substance—wise, fun, and endlessly inspiring.

We will deeply miss her warmth, wisdom, and friendship.

Lynne Drew, publisher, general fiction at HarperCollins, remembers bestselling author Barbara Taylor Bradford in a piece she wrote for The Bookseller.

Maria Boyle, Barbara’s personal PR for 15 years, also shared her tribute with Harper’s Bazaar.