Bestselling author and former Conservative politician Jeffrey Archer has passed away at the age of 86. Over a five-decade literary career, he sold more than 300 million books worldwide, authoring famous titles such as Kane and Abel, the Clifton Chronicles, and his latest novel Adam and Eve. His publisher HarperCollins confirmed that he died suddenly and peacefully at home on Monday between writing sessions.

Archer entered public life in 1969 when he was elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament, later serving as deputy chairman of the Conservative Party. His political career was interrupted in 2001 when he was sentenced to prison for perjury and perverting the course of justice in relation to a 1987 libel case. Following his release in 2003, he resumed his duties in the House of Lords, where he served until his retirement in 2024. His editor at HarperCollins, Kate Elton, remembered him as a master storyteller who was exceptionally hard-working, tirelessly writing draft after draft to perfect every word.

He is survived by his wife Mary, with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage this year, along with their two sons and five grandchildren. Jeffrey Archer leaves behind an enduring legacy of compelling narratives that touched millions of readers across generations.