Barbara Taylor Bradford, a notable British journalist who achieved literary fame later in life with her acclaimed novel “A Woman of Substance,” has passed away at the age of 91. Her death occurred at her residence in New York City, as confirmed by a spokesperson on Monday.

Bradford launched her career with “A Woman of Substance,” which debuted in 1979, and subsequently became one of the world’s most successful authors. She wrote nearly a book annually, accumulating a net worth estimated to exceed $200 million. Her prominence in the literary world was such that her likeness was featured on a postage stamp in 1999, and she was honored with an OBE (The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007.

Her literary works have been translated into 40 languages, achieving sales of more than 90 million copies globally. Bradford’s novels, including “Breaking the Rules” and “Act of Will,” often centered around strong female protagonists who navigated love and ambition in male-dominated societies. Among her many publications, she particularly cherished “The Women In His Life,” which drew inspiration from her husband’s experiences escaping the Nazi regime.

For 56 years, Bradford was married to German-born film producer Robert Bradford, who passed away in 2019. Originating from Leeds, West Yorkshire, she was raised as an only child in a blue-collar household and developed a passion for reading early on. Her first story was published in a local magazine when she was a child. Defying her parents, she left school at 16 to pursue a career as a reporter for the Yorkshire Evening Post. Over the years, she held various editorial positions, including fashion editor for Woman’s Own Magazine and columnist writing about interior design in the U.S.

Although she dabbled in children’s literature and self-help books, her true aspiration was to write novels. “A Woman of Substance” became a sprawling tale that chronicled the life of retail magnate Emma Harte. The book’s success is underscored by the fact it has sold over 30 million copies and inspired a television miniseries in 1984, featuring Jenny Seagrove as young Emma and Deborah Kerr portraying her in later years.

Reflecting on her creation, Bradford remarked in a 2009 interview with the Telegraph, “If you want to meet the real Emma, meet me.” She related to Emma’s complexity, stating that both she and her character had to demonstrate toughness. Bradford saw herself as a successful businesswoman in her own right, embodying similar resolve to that of her heroines.

Both Bradford and her fictional counterpart shared hidden family histories; Emma faced unwed motherhood, while Bradford discovered later in life that her own mother had been born out of wedlock, with her maternal grandfather being the second Marquess of Ripon and the owner of the Studley Royal estate.

Seagrove, who forged a friendship with Bradford post-miniseries, characterized her as a “powerhouse of glamour and warmth,” noting that her success did not diminish her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. “She never forgot that she was a girl from Yorkshire who worked hard to achieve her dreams,” Seagrove remembered fondly.

Bradford maintained a disciplined writing schedule, often starting her day at 6 a.m. behind her IBM typewriter and working diligently until the evening. An authorized biography from 2006 revealed insights into her lifestyle, showcasing her luxurious living arrangements and her penchant for collecting Impressionist artwork. In 2010, she listed her lavish apartment overlooking the East River for nearly $19 million, eventually selling it to actress Uma Thurman in 2013 for $10 million.

Throughout her career, Bradford encountered numerous celebrities. She formed a friendship with Sean Connery prior to his ascent to fame and, in a humorous recollection, wished him well but suggested he work on losing his Scottish accent for better career prospects. She also reminisced about meeting a passionate yet awkward fellow journalist named Peter O’Toole at the Yorkshire Evening Post. Reflecting on their later encounter, she marveled at O’Toole’s transformation into a Hollywood star. “I never got over Peter’s transformation,” she recalled, reminiscing about their shared past.