Archer's life was almost as dramatic as the plots of his novels. A talented and ambitious politician, he rose rapidly through the Conservative Party before a series of scandals brought his political career to an end
British author and former Conservative MP Jeffrey Archer, whose best-selling novels sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said.
Archer died “suddenly and peacefully at his home between writing sessions” on Monday, the publisher said.
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His editor, Kate Elton, described him as a “master storyteller and an editor’s dream”.
Archer had been due to appear at the Cheltenham Literary Festival this week to discuss Adam and Eve, which he had described as his final novel after five decades of writing. The book was scheduled for publication on Tuesday.
The Sun reported that Archer had been signing books for fans at an event in London on Sunday.
The author revealed in 2014 that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Archer's life was almost as dramatic as the plots of his novels. A talented and ambitious politician, he rose rapidly through the Conservative Party before a series of scandals brought his political career to an end.
He joined the Conservatives while studying at Oxford University and, in 1969, won a by-election to become an MP at the age of 29.
His parliamentary career ended in 1974 after the collapse of a Canadian industrial cleaning company in which he had invested left him facing bankruptcy.
He later turned to writing, publishing his first novel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, in 1975. It was followed by a string of best-sellers, many centred on politics, high finance and ambition.
Although critics often dismissed his work, his books became hugely successful and made him a fortune.
Archer continued to pursue a political comeback and used his contacts to raise millions of pounds for the Conservative Party. In 1985, then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher appointed him deputy chairman of the party, calling him a model of Conservative achievement.
However, he resigned the following year after admitting what he described as a “lack of judgment” in giving £2,000 to prostitute Monica Coghlan. Archer maintained that the money was intended to help her leave the country to escape media attention.
He subsequently sued the Daily Star over claims that he had slept with Coghlan and won £500,000 in damages.
In 1992, Archer was recommended for a peerage by Thatcher's successor, John Major, allowing him to take a seat in the House of Lords.
His political ambitions resurfaced in 1999 when he launched a campaign to become the Conservative candidate for London's first elected mayor. His bid collapsed after allegations emerged that he had asked his friend Ted Francis to provide a false alibi in connection with the Daily Star case.
Archer was expelled from the Conservative Party and, in 2001, was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to four years in prison and released on parole in 2003.
His wife, Mary Archer, a scientist, remained supportive throughout his legal and political troubles. She famously said the couple had explored the “further reaches of ‘for better and for worse’” during their marriage.
Archer retired from the House of Lords in 2024. His wife is Chancellor of the University of Buckingham.
AFP
Published: 06 Oct 2026, 07:05 am IST
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