Jeffrey Archer, 86, dies 'suddenly and peacefully at his home' after completing final novel

Bestselling author and former Conservative MP Jeffrey Archer has died aged 86, his publisher has confirmed.

Archer, who sold more than 320 million books worldwide over a five-decade writing career, died “suddenly and peacefully at his home between writing sessions” on Monday, Harper Collins said.

Before his passing, Archer completed what he explicitly stated would be his final novel, Adam and Eve, a Second World War epic love story.

According to his publisher, the book is scheduled for release this month.

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher with Jeffrey Archer, deputy chairman of the Conservative Party at the 1986 party conference in Bournemouth

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The former Conservative MP was jailed for perjury in 2001 after being found guilty of lying and cheating in his 1987 libel case against the Daily Star.

He was made a life peer in 1992 but his political career was halted in 2001 when he was jailed for four years for perjury and perverting the course of justice.

An Old Bailey jury found that he had lied in a libel action he had brought against The Star newspaper 13 years earlier, in which he was awarded £500,000 damages.

He was released early in 2003 and returned to the House of Lords until he retired in 2024.

The Rt Hon Mrs Margaret Thatcher gives Jeffrey Archer her donation to the Simple Truth Campaign for Kurdish Refugees

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Archer’s 1979 saga Kane and Abel became a global phenomenon, topping The New York Times bestseller list.

He was known for an intensive discipline, often hand-writing up to 14 drafts of a single manuscript.

Kate Elton, Harper Collins UK chief executive and Archer’s editor, said: “It has been one of the great privileges of my publishing life to have been Jeffrey Archer’s editor.

Ruud Gullit and Jeffrey Archer read "The Children's Book of Books" in London

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“He was the master storyteller and an editor’s dream – phenomenally hard-working, utterly committed to completing draft after draft to get every word as perfect as possible, and a true champion of the ‘team’ nature of great publishing.”

Archer is survived by his wife, Dame Mary Archer, and their two sons.

Former Conservative chancellor and current Reform UK MP for Stratford-on-Avon Nadhim Zahawi posted a tribute to Lord Jeffrey Archer on X.

The then Duchess of Cornwall is greeted by Lord Jeffrey Archer at the Julien Macdonald Fashion Show Reception at Lancaster House in London

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He wrote: “Jeffrey Archer was a dear friend and an extraordinary human being. His gift for storytelling was matched by his wit, warmth and boundless energy. Life was never dull in Jeffrey’s company. As a charity auctioneer, he was a force of nature: commanding a room, making people laugh and persuading them to dig deeper.

“He used that remarkable talent to raise millions for charitable causes, leaving a legacy of generosity that reaches far beyond his books. Behind the celebrated author was a man with an enormous heart, fiercely loyal to his friends and generous with his time.

“My love and deepest condolences go to Mary and the whole family. Jeffrey, it was a privilege to call you my friend. You were one of a kind. May you rest in eternal peace.”

Harper Collins said Archer had met and signed books for hundreds of fans at a sold-out event with broadcaster Gyles Brandreth at the Leicester Square Theatre in central London on Sunday.

Writing on X, Brandreth said: “Just yesterday I did a show with Jeffrey Archer to celebrate his new novel – he said it was to be his last.

“He was in the most wonderful, ebullient form and had such a great reception from a packed house. He was funny, engaging and self-deprecating – a great storyteller to the last.”

Archer was due to be at the Cheltenham Festival on Saturday to discuss his final novel, Adam and Eve.

He and his wife Mary had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year.