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South African novelist Wilbur Smith has died at the age of 88. According to the statement on his Facebook page, Smith died on Saturday afternoon at his Cape Town home after a morning of reading and writing with his wife Niso by his side. The statement did not disclose the cause of death.
His 49 novels have gripped readers for over half a century, selling over 140 million copies worldwide in more than thirty languages.
Smith was born in Zambia. At eight years old he was enrolled at Cordwalles boarding school in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal and for high school, he went to Michaelhouse.
We are sorry to announce that the beloved, global bestselling author Wilbur Smith passed away unexpectedly this afternoon at his Cape Town home, with his wife Niso by his side. https://t.co/vHT7uIiwu1 pic.twitter.com/fh91Z11G86
— Wilbur Smith (@thewilbursmith) November 13, 2021
Reaction from Twitter:
Wilbur Smith has died at 88. Loved his books about Africa years ago.
— Glenn Holmes (@Mountaingoat55) November 14, 2021
So farewell the Wilbur Smith,who died today. I spent many happy hours banged up in various prisons in my twenties in the company of Wilbur’s characters from those early South African novels. It was a great way to escape the pain of confinement. Thank you Mr Smith.May you RIP.
— The Real Peter Wayne (@TheRealPeterWa1) November 14, 2021