Death Of An Author. Sidney Sheldon 1917 - 2007.

The best-selling American novelist, playwright and screenwriter Sidney Sheldon has died aged 89.

He died of complications from pneumonia at hospital near Palm Springs, California, his publicist said.

He had a career writing award-winning Broadway plays and Hollywood film scripts before turning to novel-writing at the age of 50.

His books - such as Rage of Angels and The Other Side of Midnight - were best sellers but did not win over critics.

He said he wrote his books - often featuring strong female characters - so that readers would want to continue to turn the page.

"My books are adventurous and exciting enough so that men want to read them and I hope I have enough insights into women so that women enjoy reading the books," he said in a BBC interview.

He was born 17 February, 1917 in Chicago. (BBC NEWS)
Image - Source