Jackie Collins ​

Jacqueline Jill "Jackie" Collins was an English romance novelist. She wrote 32 novels, all of which appeared on The New York Times bestsellers list, with her novels selling over 500 million copies. Her biggest hit novels included the Lucky Santangelo series, about a strong, powerful woman in the mob world.

Quick Facts ​

• Authored 32 novels.
• Sold over 500 million copies of her books.
• Most of her books were adapted for the screen, both as films and television series.
• Often wrote about the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood lifestyle.
• Claimed most of her stories were based on real-life experiences and insider information.
• Known for her sexually explicit, romantic and thrilling plots.
• Her novel "Hollywood Wives" was a #1 New York Times bestseller.

Background ​

Collins was born in 1937 in London, England. She was the middle child of Joseph William Collins, a theatrical agent, and Elsa Collins, a dance teacher. She was educated privately in London and then at Francis Holland School, a day school for girls. Collins' first job was as a stage singer and film actress. She did not begin writing until she was in her mid-twenties, when she wrote her first book, The World is Full of Married Men, which was published in 1968. The book was a bestseller, and Collins went on to write over 30 novels, all of which have been on The New York Times bestsellers list. Her books, filled with explicit content and rich characters, have sold over 500 million copies worldwide. She died in 2015.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Collins was known for her novels filled with sex, glamour, and power. Her writing style was often compared to that of a soap opera, with its intricate plots and emphasis on characterization. Her work was sometimes criticized for its glorification of sex and materialism, but was also lauded for its depiction of strong, independent women. She played a major role in shaping the genre of romance novels and was known for pushing boundaries with her explicit content.

Notable Works ​

• The World is Full of Married Men (1968)
• The Stud (1969)
• The Bitch (1979)
• Hollywood Wives (1983)
• Lucky (1985)
• Hollywood Husbands (1986)
• Married Lovers (2008)