Jilly Cooper suffered a fatal head injury during a fall at her Gloucestershire home, an inquest has heard.
The writer – known for novels including Riders, Rivals and Polo – was found by family at her home in Bisley at about 5pm on 4 October.
Gloucestershire Coroners' Court heard Cooper was initially alert and transferred by paramedics to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, but her condition deteriorated.
She died in hospital, with her family present, at 8.30am on 5 October.
Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, reached a conclusion of accidental death and said Cooper died as a result of a traumatic subdural haematoma.
The coroner said: "The deceased was Dame Jill 'Jilly’ Cooper, an 88-year-old lady.
"When she passed away was October 5 2025 at 8.30am. Where she passed away was at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where she had been transferred.
"The circumstances surrounding her tragic death were she had suffered an unwitnessed fall at her home address on October 4. She fell, perhaps down some stairs, sustaining a significant head injury.
"There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her fall. She passed away later, on October 5, with family present.
"This is a case of accidental death, the accident being the unwitnessed fall by Dame Cooper at Dame Cooper’s address, triggering the tragic events that thereafter followed.
"May this office extend their sincere condolences to Dame Cooper’s family."
The coroner said Cooper was transferred to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where she was "initially alert but referring to a severe headache".
An urgent CT scan revealed she had sustained a skull fracture.
"The medical opinion was that this head injury was unfortunately catastrophic and therefore likely a terminal event," Ms Skerrett added.
"She was made comfortable, her condition sadly thereafter deteriorated and she passed away in the emergency department with family present."
Her agent previously confirmed that her funeral would be private, in line with her wishes.
A public service of thanksgiving will be held at Southwark Cathedral at a later date.
Source: Press Association
