Renowned Author and Politician Jeffrey Archer Passes Away at 86

WHO:

CNN - Jeffrey Archer, bestselling British novelist and former politician.

CNN - HarperCollins, Archer's publisher.

CNN - Kate Elton, HarperCollins’ UK CEO and Archer’s editor.

CNN - Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the UK.

WHAT:

CNN - Jeffrey Archer has died at the age of 86.

CNN - Archer sold over 300 million copies of his books worldwide.

CNN - His final novel, “Adam and Eve,” is due to be published on Tuesday.

CNN - Archer won £500,000 ($660,450) in damages in a libel case against the Daily Star tabloid.

CNN - Archer was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice, receiving a four-year prison sentence, of which he served two years.

CNN - Archer's books were sold in 119 countries and he spent five-and-a-half years on the New York Times bestseller lists.

WHERE:

CNN - Archer died at home.

WHEN:

CNN - Archer's final novel is scheduled for publication on Tuesday.

CNN - Archer was due to speak about his final novel at the Cheltenham Literature Festival this weekend.

WHY:

CNN - Archer's reputation as a colorful figure in British public life contributed to his literary success.

HOW:

CNN - Archer wrote “A Prison Diary” during his time in prison.

(UPDATED October 6, 2026 01:31 UTC)

Bestselling British novelist and former politician Jeffrey Archer has died at the age of 86 at his home. Known for selling over 300 million copies of his books worldwide, Archer's final novel, “Adam and Eve,” is set to be published on Tuesday, and he was scheduled to speak about it at the Cheltenham Literature Festival this weekend. Archer's colorful reputation in British public life, along with his experiences, including writing “A Prison Diary” during his time in prison, contributed to his literary success.