Sophie Kinsella, the acclaimed author beloved by millions, has left behind an impressive legacy, with her wealth estimated to exceed £22 million following her untimely passing at the age of 55.

The cherished creator of the Confessions of a Shopaholic series succumbed on Wednesday after a courageous three-year fight against brain cancer.

Known to her family and friends as Madeleine Wickham, the prolific author captivated a global audience, selling 45 million books in over 60 nations.

Financial records reveal that her company, Madhen Media Ltd, reached a valuation of £12.1 million by December 31 of the previous year. This marked an increase of nearly £1 million in 2024, driven by the enduring popularity of her novels and a steady influx of royalties from international sales.

Yet, this was just a portion of the significant fortune she accrued over her illustrious career.

The Daily Mail can reveal the author also owned an impressive £10million-plus property portfolio spanning some of the country’s most desirable postcodes.

Sophie and her husband Henry, 59, snapped up four major homes – including a smart townhouse in central London, a Westminster apartment just moments from the Houses of Parliament, and a sprawling £3million farmhouse in rural Dorset.

The couple had also invested in a valuable property in Croydon, south London – site of a long-established prep school where Henry served as headmaster for four years.

Sophie Kinsella, whose real name was Madeleine Wickham, pictured with her husband Henry Wickham

The couple owned an impressive £10million-plus property portfolio spanning some of the country’s most desirable postcodes

Purchased for £2.45million in 2008 through their company, the site is believed to have risen significantly in value, though it cannot be sold without the consent of the current owners of Elmhurst School.

The pair bought their prime Grade-II listed four-bed London townhouse for just under £2.9million in 2012, before adding the £1.5million three-bed Westminster flat in 2014.

Two years later, they expanded their holdings again with the £3.025million Dorset farm near the village of Sturminster Newton.

All four properties are likely to have surged dramatically in value since the couple bought them, given the relentless rise of prime London and rural property prices over the past decade.

Sophie’s wealth was funnelled through Madhen Media, where she had been the sole shareholder for the past two years. The latest accounts were signed off by Henry, who remains a director.

The report notes simply: ‘Revenue represents fees and royalties receivable’ – suggesting the company operated as the engine room of her extraordinary writing success.

Madhen Media also owns Bloomwood Educational Ltd, which in turn holds the land on which Elmhurst School stands.

While the school, whose most famous alumni is 1920s comic writer PG Wodehouse, is operated by an unrelated business, Bloomwood retains ownership.

Sophie and her husband Henry, 59, snapped up four major homes including a smart townhouse in central London

The couple had also invested in a valuable property in Croydon, south London – site of a long-established prep school where Henry served as headmaster for four years

 The couple’s Croydon home the site is believed to have risen significantly in value since purchasing it in 2008

Sophie met Yorkshire-born Henry on her first night at Oxford University and married him aged 21. The couple had five children – now aged between 13 and 29 – together.

She had been diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022, a devastating and aggressive form of brain cancer.

Her family announced on social media that she had died ‘peacefully’ with her ‘final days filled with her true loves: family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy’.

The statement added: ‘Despite her illness, which she bore with unimaginable courage, Sophie counted herself truly blessed – to have such wonderful family and friends, and to have had the extraordinary success of her writing career.

‘She took nothing for granted and was forever grateful for the love she received. She will be missed so much our hearts are breaking.’

Sophie became a household name with her hugely successful Shopaholic series, which began with The Secret Dreamworld Of A Shopaholic in 2000 and went on to sell millions worldwide.

The first two books – including Shopaholic Abroad – were adapted into the 2009 Hollywood film Confessions Of A Shopaholic starring Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy.

Dubbed ‘the queen of romantic comedy’, she published more than 30 novels, including works written under her real name.

Purchased for £2.45million, it cannot be sold without the consent of the current owners of Elmhurst School

All four properties are likely to have surged dramatically in value since the couple bought them

Last year, Sophie spoke publicly about her cancer diagnosis for the first time, revealing how she had kept it private so her children could adapt in their own time.

She wrote on Instagram at the time: ‘At the end of 2022 I was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of aggressive brain cancer.

‘I did not share this before because I wanted to make sure that my children were able to hear and process the news in privacy and adapt to our ‘new normal’.’

Sophie later disclosed she suffered serious short-term memory loss after undergoing surgery to remove a tumour.

She told how Henry had to break the devastating news to her repeatedly, saying: ‘He had to tell me more than once, over and over, this bad news: “You’ve got cancer and it’s incurable”.

‘I don’t know how he did it. I think that’s where he showed his greatest love for me.’

Tributes were paid to Sophie from across the film and literary world.

Isla Fisher, who played Becky Bloomwood in the Shopaholic movie, wrote on Instagram: ‘You conjured Rebecca Bloomwood, a hilarious, flawed dream of a comic character – and I was lucky enough to step into her shoes and speak your witty and brilliant words.

The pair bought their prime Grade-II listed four-bed London townhouse for just under £2.9million in 2012

Her family announced on social media that she had died ‘peacefully’ with her ‘final days filled with her true loves: family and music and warmth and Christmas and joy’

‘My daughters grew up being read your books and love them to this day. My heart is broken.

‘You are still my hero, and I’m grateful for you. And though we won’t meet again, your light and magic lives on in your incredible characters.’

Romance writer Jill Mansell said: ‘This is the saddest news. Maddy was a brilliant writer but more importantly a truly lovely person.

‘In both respects she brought so much joy to the world. Life is unfair. Sending love to her family and all who will miss her so much.’

Sophie’s agents at The Soho Agency said in a joint statement: ‘Maddy was an intelligent, imaginative, loving and irreverent woman who valued the deeply connective power of fiction.’