Jeffrey Archer, bestselling novelist and former conservative MP, dies at 86

Jeffrey Archer, bestselling British author and former Conservative politician, has died at 86.

The renowned author passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, his publisher HarperCollins announced.

Until his very last moment, he kept writing, with his last book, titled Adam and Eve, being released the very next day, Oct. 6.

In an official statement, Kate Elton, CEO of HarperCollins UK, said that working with Jeffrey Archer had been "one of the great privileges."

"It has been one of the great privileges of my publishing life to have been Jeffrey Archer's editor. He was the master storyteller and an editor's dream. We're all devastated to have lost a writer who has brought joy to generations of readers — and a true friend."

Before his passing, he shared with People that the last novel he had written was the "best thing I've ever done."

"When I finished, I said to my publisher, I think it's the best thing I've ever done. But, doesn't every author think the last book they wrote is the best thing they've ever done? So I'm very nervous."

Jeffrey Archer's background: His political career, books, and legal troubles

Jeffrey Archer sold over 300 million books throughout his literary career of five decades.

He became famous for writing The Clifton Chronicles and Kane & Abel, one of his most famous works, which has been published in 119 countries in 47 different languages.

His first novel, titled Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, was released in 1976.

A number of his novels have been based on locations or experiences related to his life, among which is his childhood home located in Somerset.

Archer was born in north London on April 15, 1940, and moved to Weston-super-Mare at a young age with his family.

In 1969, he entered politics by becoming the Conservative MP for Louth in an election.

He remained in Parliament for five years before becoming deputy chairman of the Conservative Party.

However, Archer's political career later took a backseat due to a legal battle. He faced charges of perjury and perverting the course of justice in 2001 when it emerged that he had been lying in his libel trial against the Daily Star.

He had previously received £500,000 in damages from the newspaper. He was sentenced to four years in prison and released in 2003.

Archer later returned to the House of Lords and remained a member until retiring in 2024.

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His last public appearance was just a day prior to his death. Archer made an appearance with broadcaster Gyles Brandreth at the Leicester Square Theatre to celebrate Adam and Eve and sign books for fans.

Brandreth said Archer was in "wonderful, ebullient form" during the event and described him as funny, engaging and self-deprecating. The author also informed his audience that his upcoming book would be his last.

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