Novelist Dame Shirley Conran dies aged 91 as son pays heartbreaking tribute

British author and journalist Dame Shirley Conran has died aged 91 just one week after receiving a damehood in hospital.

The Lace author’s son, designer Jasper Conran, announced the news on social media this evening.

‘Shirl girl has flown away, a lark ascending,’ he began. ‘Thank you to all the wonderful doctors and nurses at St. Mary’s Paddington who looked after her and thank you to all of you kind, dear people who sent her so many beautiful messages that meant so much to her.’

The writer – known for books including Lace and Superwoman – received a damehood last week while in hospital for her services to mathematics education, having founded the Maths Anxiety Trust.

Dame Shirley began writing books after she was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in her late 30s and could no longer work full-time.

Actress Elizabeth Hurley was among those paying tribute, as she commented: ‘Sending you love. ‘Lace’ was one of the illicit joys of my teenage years.’

Anna Friel said, ‘Huge love and condolences,’ while filmmaker and husband of Sir Elton John wrote: ‘So deeply sorry for your loss. Sending love and condolences.’

Dame Shirley’s first novel titled Lace was published in 1982 and later turned into a TV miniseries in the US starring Bess Armstrong, Brooke Adams and Arielle Dombasle.

In 1975, she wrote acclaimed non-fiction book Superwoman, recognised as a feminist practical guidebook in which she coined the phrase: ‘Life is too short to stuff a mushroom.’

Her other novels include Savages, Crimson and Tiger Eyes.

Former prime minister Liz Truss, who made the author a dame in her resignation honours list at the end of 2023, paid tribute on X, formerly Twitter, writing: ‘She was a life force, incredibly generous and a dedicated campaigner for maths education. I am very grateful for all the encouragement and support she gave me.’

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Last week Sir Kenneth Olisa, the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, presented Dame Shirley with the honour in hospital.

Sharing two pictures from the ceremony, he wrote on social media: ‘Yesterday @ImperialNHS, surrounded by her family & staff of the Manvers Acute Respiratory Unit I was privileged, on behalf of His Majesty, to invest Dame Shirley Conran as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to Mathematics Education.’

Last week Jasper wrote on social media how his mother was on her ‘final journey’.

‘My mum Shirley is in hospital and on her final journey. She is looking forward to her party in the sky with all her friends and family,’ he said, sharing a picture of her.

He also said if anyone wanted to send a ‘nice message’ he will read it to her as she was ‘very much enjoying’ listening to these.

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