'I'm completely devastated': Joan Collins reveals grief at sister Jackie's death from breast cancer... and leads tributes to her 'wonderful, brave, best friend'

  • Kris Jenner said 'it was a joy and honor to have known her'
  • Sir Roger Moore tweeted news of Jackie's death came as 'a great shock'
  • Sandra Bullock, who starred in the 1990 TV mini-series Lucky Chances based on two of Jackie's books, said the novelist 'paved the road for many'
  • A 'shocked and devastated' Sharon Osbourne said on Twitter she loved and respected the author 
  • Larry King called her 'a true talent, a beautiful being and a true friend' 

Jackie and Joan Collins were just about the most famous and certainly the most glamorous sisters in the world and Joan said she was 'completely devastated' at her sister's death.

'She was my best friend,' Joan, 82, told People. 'I admire how she handled this. She was a wonderful, brave and a beautiful person and I love her.'

The novelist had kept to herself the fact that she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer six-and-a-half years ago and had told her older actress sister she was terminally ill only two weeks ago.

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Saying goodbye: Jackie Collins, who died Saturday at 77, with sister Joan, 82, in London a week ago. Both sisters shared this 'last' photo of themselves together via social media

Saying goodbye: Jackie Collins, who died Saturday at 77, with sister Joan, 82, in London a week ago. Both sisters shared this 'last' photo of themselves together via social media

This morning she tweeted a picture of her sister as children with the tribute: 'Farewell to my beautiful brave baby sister. I will love you and miss you forever. Rest in peace.' 

Dame Joan, 82, arrived back at her home in Belgravia, central London, in a black Mercedes people carrier with blacked-out windows at around 4.20pm this afternoon.

Wearing a trademark wide-brimmed black hat and sunglasses, she was ushered inside by minders and her husband Percy Gibson without commenting.

Mr Gibson, who is Dame Joan's fifth husband, told reporters: 'As you know she's devastated, but this is a private family matter and that's how we want to keep it. She just wants to lie down and rest.' 

Just one week ago, the two met up in London where they enjoyed dinner together at The Wolseley in Mayfair.

Both Jackie and Joan shared the photo on social media, with Joan tweeting: 'Lovely evening@#thewolselybefore sis went back toLaLaLand.'

Before her death, Jackie sat down for an interview with People magazine and said the Dynasty star had been 'very shocked' when Jackie told her she was dying.

'She had no idea. But she was great. We were emotional,' Jackie told People.

Successful sisters: The Dynasty star, pictured with her younger sister at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in February, said simply that Jackie was her 'best friend' and  a 'wonderful, brave and beautiful person'

Successful sisters: The Dynasty star, pictured with her younger sister at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in February, said simply that Jackie was her 'best friend' and a 'wonderful, brave and beautiful person'

The September 14 interview with Jackie was published Saturday as news of her death broke.

The writer and TV personality explained she hadn't told her famous older sister about her illness sooner because she hadn't wanted to burden her.

'I just felt she didn't need it in her life. She's very positive and very social but I'm not sure how strong she is, so I didn't want to burden her with it,' she told the publication. 

'So sad': Kris Jenner shared this photo of herself dining out with Jackie and Joan and said it had been 'a joy and honor to have known her'

'So sad': Kris Jenner shared this photo of herself dining out with Jackie and Joan and said it had been 'a joy and honor to have known her'

Liz Hurley was one of the first stars to pay tribute to Jackie.

She tweeted: 'Horribly sad news about Jackie Collins. She was a lovely, very special woman. RIP.'

TV presenter Melanie Sykes tweeted: 'Can't believe about Jackie Collins. Been reading & watching her press campaign for her new book these last weeks. I'm Shocked X'

Singer Boy George tweeted: 'R.I.P Jackie Collins. A super lady who 'did it her way'.'  

Kris Jenner took to Instagram to mourn the passing of her friend.

The Kardashian momager shared a flashback photo of herself with Jackie and Joan dining out together.

'I'm so sad to hear about the passing of Jackie Collins..my love and prayers go out to her family and friends and to her sister Joan..what an amazing woman.... It was a joy and honor to have known her,' Kris wrote.

Got her start: Sandra Bullock was a virtual unknown when she was cast in the 1990 TV miniseries Lucky Chances based on two of Jackie's novels. The Oscar winner said Jackie 'had paved the road for so many'

Got her start: Sandra Bullock was a virtual unknown when she was cast in the 1990 TV miniseries Lucky Chances based on two of Jackie's novels. The Oscar winner said Jackie 'had paved the road for so many'

In 1990, Sandra Bullock was a young actress still trying to make her way in Hollywood.

One of her first roles was as Maria Santangelo in the TV miniseries Lucky Chances, based on Jackie's best-selling books Lucky and Chances. 

'That smart, talented, and gorgeous woman paved the road for so many of us so that we could experience a much smoother journey ... with or without heels,' the Oscar-winning Blind Side actress told People.

She added: 'Heaven ... watch out!'

'What a dame!' Melissa Gilbert, who starred with Farrah Fawcett, Robin Givens and Jeff Kaake on Hollywood Wives: The New Generation in 2003, shared this flashback photo of the cast with Jackie

'What a dame!' Melissa Gilbert, who starred with Farrah Fawcett, Robin Givens and Jeff Kaake on Hollywood Wives: The New Generation in 2003, shared this flashback photo of the cast with Jackie

Grieving: The Little House On The Prairie star described the novelist as 'talented, funny and kind'

Grieving: The Little House On The Prairie star described the novelist as 'talented, funny and kind'

Little House On The Prairie star Melissa Gilbert starred in the 2003 TV movie of Hollywood Wives: The New Generation. 

The actress, 51, also shared a flashback photo on her Instagram account showing herself with Jackie and her Hollywood Wives co-stars Farrah Fawcett, Robin Givens and Jeff Kaake.

'An amazing woman. Talented. Funny. Kind. One of my very favorite producers ever,' Gilbert also tweeted.

'She will be deeply missed.' 

Blockbuster: Roger Moore and his wife Luisa attended the premiere of 1978's The Stud which starred Joan, left, in a role created by Jackie, right, who adapted her novel for the big screen

Blockbuster: Roger Moore and his wife Luisa attended the premiere of 1978's The Stud which starred Joan, left, in a role created by Jackie, right, who adapted her novel for the big screen

Pals: The former Bond star  tweeted that news of Jackie's death came as 'a great shock' and said his thoughts were with Joan and her family

Pals: The former Bond star tweeted that news of Jackie's death came as 'a great shock' and said his thoughts were with Joan and her family

Mourning: Jackie was good friends with Beverly Hills philanthropist Barbara Davis but Davis said she only found out Friday that the novelist was dying from breast cancer. 'Nobody knew it was this close,' she said

Mourning: Jackie was good friends with Beverly Hills philanthropist Barbara Davis but Davis said she only found out Friday that the novelist was dying from breast cancer. 'Nobody knew it was this close,' she said

Philanthropist and iconic Beverly Hills socialite Barbara Davis, widow of oil industrialist and former owner of 20th Century Fox Marvin Davis, was a close friend of the Hollywood Kids and Hollywood Divorces author.

Davis told The Hollywood Reporter that she, too, had only just found out that she had breast cancer.

'None of us knew she was sick. I didn't find out until yesterday.' Davis told the publication Saturday.

'She kept it to herself, and she lived with it. She'd just done a book tour in London where she'd gone to tell her family the cancer had spread. But nobody knew it was this close. Jackie was the bravest woman in the world. I'll love her forever.' 

Book club fun!

A photo posted by Jackie Collins (@jackiejcollins) on

Greatly missed: Former Tonight Show 'intern' and red carpet host Ross Mathews shared a photo of himself with Jackie and a copy of her last book. "I can't imagine a world without my funny and fabulous friend',' he wrote

Greatly missed: Former Tonight Show 'intern' and red carpet host Ross Mathews shared a photo of himself with Jackie and a copy of her last book. 'I can't imagine a world without my funny and fabulous friend',' he wrote

Ross Mathews, who found fame as Jay Leno's 'intern' on The Tonight Show and went on to be a red carpet host for E!, shared a photo of himself with Jackie.

He's holding a copy of her last book The Santangelos and has his arm around the frail novelist.

'I can't imagine a world without my funny, fabulous & groundbreaking friend Jackie Collins,' he wrote alongside the picture he shared on Instagram.

'You should've heard the stories she told me in private. I felt fabulous just being in her orbit. I was one of the lucky ones, he added. 'I bet she's already got all the gossip on the other side. I love you, Jackie, and thank you.'

Friends: Sharon Osbourne posted this pic of her and Jackie together and said she was 'shocked and devastated' at her death

Friends: Sharon Osbourne posted this pic of her and Jackie together and said she was 'shocked and devastated' at her death

Sincere tribute: James Woods called the novelist 'a true star who treated everyone equally' as he  mourned her passing

Sincere tribute: James Woods called the novelist 'a true star who treated everyone equally' as he  mourned her passing

Shocked: CHIPS star Erik Estrada also tweeted his sorrow

Shocked: CHIPS star Erik Estrada also tweeted his sorrow

Among the famous names paying tribute to the author of Hollywood Husbands, Lucky and Lady Boss were TV host Sharon Osbourne, actors James Woods and Erik Estrada and Oprah Winfrey.

'She was one of the loveliest people imaginable,' Woods tweeted. 

'A true star who treated everyone equally. RIP, dear friend.'

Osbourne said she was 'shocked and devastated' at the news.

'Loved and respected her,' she tweeted. 

CHIPs star Estrada tweeted he was 'saddened' by her death, adding 'you will be missed.'

Lived the lifestyle: Jackie, who first arrived in LA as a teen hoping to be an actress like her big sister, has cultivated friendships with a Who's Who of Hollywood. She's pictured with Michael Caine in 2012

Lived the lifestyle: Jackie, who first arrived in LA as a teen hoping to be an actress like her big sister, has cultivated friendships with a Who's Who of Hollywood. She's pictured with Michael Caine in 2012

Saddened: Veteran talk show host Larry King remembered her as 'a beautiful being and a dear friend'

Saddened: Veteran talk show host Larry King remembered her as 'a beautiful being and a dear friend'

In the know: Jackie, seen here with Vanity Fair columnist and famed diarist Dominick Dunne in 2007, observed what went on around her in Hollywood and Beverly Hills and used it as a basis for her writing

In the know: Jackie, seen here with Vanity Fair columnist and famed diarist Dominick Dunne in 2007, observed what went on around her in Hollywood and Beverly Hills and used it as a basis for her writing

Sorrow: Comedian and TV show host Graham Norton said Jackie was 'the definition of a class act'

Sorrow: Comedian and TV show host Graham Norton said Jackie was 'the definition of a class act'

Tribute: Oprah Winfrey also tweeted her reaction to the novelist's death

Tribute: Oprah Winfrey also tweeted her reaction to the novelist's death

Veteran talk show host Larry King said he was shocked and saddened at the news and remembered the author of 32 bestsellers as 'a true talent, a beautiful being and a dear friend.'

Morning anchor Hoda Kotb said simply she was 'so sad' to hear the news.

Television presenter and comedian Graham Norton described Jackie as 'the definition of a class act.'

'I'm so very sad to hear about @jackiejcollins,' he tweeted. 'Everyone who met her was Lucky.'

British TV host Eamonn Holmes said Jackie 'was just lovely.'

Farewell: Today show co-host Hoda Kotb also tweeted her sadness

Farewell: Today show co-host Hoda Kotb also tweeted her sadness

Fond memories: British TV host Eamonn Holmes also paid tribute saying the 77-year-old 'was just lovely'

Fond memories: British TV host Eamonn Holmes also paid tribute saying the 77-year-old 'was just lovely'

Many celebrities who have never met Jackie but loved her work also tweeted their condolences. 

Presenter Dawn O'Porter said the author was 'one hero I was determined to meet.'

The Only Way is Essex's Jessica Wright, who recently published her own novel, wrote Jackie was one of her favourite authors. 

Melanie Brown tweeted she couldn't believe it and sent her prayers to Jackie's family. 

Presenter Dawn O'Porter was a fan of Jackie's books and had wanted to meet her 'hero'

Presenter Dawn O'Porter was a fan of Jackie's books and had wanted to meet her 'hero'

Melanie Brown sent out her best wishes to Jackie's family, saying she couldn't believe what had happened

Melanie Brown sent out her best wishes to Jackie's family, saying she couldn't believe what had happened

Jessica Wright, from The Only Way Is Essex, has recently published her own novel and said Jackie was one of her favourite authors

Jessica Wright, from The Only Way Is Essex, has recently published her own novel and said Jackie was one of her favourite authors

Away from the world of celebrity, many ordinary fans of the author also tweeted their sadness with many fans of her work sharing their memories of reading her iconic books.

Jackie's first novel, The World Is Full of Married Men, causing controversy after its release in 1968.

Critics branded it 'nasty, filthy and disgusting' and it was banned in Australia and South Africa, but its resulting notoriety caused a huge sales boost in the US and the UK. 

One fan called Jackie 'the most glamorous 77-year-old writer'

One fan called Jackie 'the most glamorous 77-year-old writer'

Another said Jackie was 'fabulous right up until the end' and said she was incredible

Another said Jackie was 'fabulous right up until the end' and said she was incredible

One woman shared her memories of reading Jackie's books as a teenager

One woman shared her memories of reading Jackie's books as a teenager

Her success was replicated in each of her next novels, which were read by more than 500million people around the globe. 

In the 1980s, Collins and her family moved to Los Angeles full-time. Her next novel, Chances, featured her most famous character - Lucky Santangelo.  

A fan wrote Jackie's book was the most 'passed around' in her college class

A fan wrote Jackie's book was the most 'passed around' in her college class

One woman said she had the privilege to meet Jackie and owned all of her books

One woman said she had the privilege to meet Jackie and owned all of her books

Another said she thought Jackie had looked well in an interview just two weeks ago and couldn't believe it

Another said she thought Jackie had looked well in an interview just two weeks ago and couldn't believe it

One fan wrote: 'I remember waiting for my mum to finish your books so I could devour them.'

Another shared: 'Hollywood Wives was the most passed around book in my class at college and Lucky Santangelo was my heroine.'

A fan who had been privileged enough to meet Jackie said: 'I have all her books, read them many times. 

One woman wrote: 'She looked so well two weeks ago in an interview.' 

 

 

 

 

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