Tributes pour in at Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE's funeral in New York

International bestselling author Barbara Taylor Bradford OBE’s funeral takes place today (3rd December 2024) at Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York.  

Tributes for the author—who died aged 91 last month—have come from across the world, including messages from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Cherie Blair CBE KC. 

The Prime Minister said of the author: “Her life was a testament to the remarkable things people can achieve with hard work and dedication. I know her books inspired people to dream big and pursue their passions. Barbara’s achievements were remarkable by any measure.  

“To go from leaving school at 15 to becoming a bestselling author is outstanding, and I do not underestimate the grit and determination that must have taken, as well as her obvious talent. Her legacy will certainly live on, not just through the stories she wrote, but through the story of her life, which gave so much joy to so many.” 

W Randall Jones, her best friend, said: “Here was a woman who wielded a pen like a sword, was one of the most successful novelists of all time, yet… she always thought of herself as a working journalist. She was a ferocious champion of women (all of her books had strong, independent female protagonists) yet she was a Fox News watching hardcore Republican with a whole lot of Democratic friends.  

“She was of humble, but proud, Yorkshire roots and yet… could be regally imperious. I would suspect most all of us in this room experienced her wrath or occasional admonition. I often referred to her as Queen Barbara, and what a Queen she was.” 

Tony Blair wrote: “Her books meant so much to so many, not only because they were wonderfully written but because she had an innate sense of people—what inspired them and what motivated them.” 

Cherie Blair wrote: “I can hardly believe it’s been over 20 years since I first met Barbara in New York. Tony and I were attending an event while he was UK Prime Minister. Although I can’t recall the specifics of the event, I vividly remember meeting Barbara and, of course, her beloved husband, Bob.

"Meeting her was such a thrill—not only because I had read her books, but also because she was a favourite author of both my mum and grandma. Barbara and I instantly connected as northern girls who had ventured far from our roots, yet never forgot where we came from."

She added: "At the time of our first meeting, Tony had not read any of Barbara’s books, but he was so struck by her intelligence, elegance and charm that he did subsequently watched the TV show and read the book.”