Best-selling author Nelson DeMille has died at 81.
DeMille died Tuesday from stage four esophageal cancer New York Post confirmed
The Long Island native was known for his action novels like “Plum Island” and “Charm School.”
His family wrote in a statement to the New York Post: “Nelson fought a courageous nine-month battle with esophageal cancer.
“True to form, he faced this test with courage, grace and good humor. We mourn, but also celebrate his wonderful life and his lasting legacy as a father, friend and storyteller.
Best-selling author Nelson DeMille died of stage four esophageal cancer on Tuesday night
DeMille published 17 best-selling novels throughout his career
He wrote 23 novels throughout his life and 17 of them were best-sellers.
The first novel he wrote, “By the Rivers of Babylon”, was published in 1978. The last one he published was “Blood Lines” in 2023.
Each of his novel manuscripts were handwritten on legal pads.
DeMille attended the Authors’ Night for the East Hampton Library in 2015
He leaves behind his three children, Lauren, Alex and James. His wife Sandra died in 2018 from cancer.
Alex said Newsday: “He has always been the one who brings people together,
“I have a lot of good memories sitting around the dining room table, the Christmas tree, or in the kitchen having a coffee or wine, he was just a wonderful host. He had joy to be around people
The acclaimed author was born on August 23, 1943, according to the author’s official statement. website.
DeMille holds a copy of his novel The Cuban Affair, published in 2017
Actress Susan Lucci and DeMille attended the Double Helix Medal dinner at the American Museum of Natural History in 2022.
He went on to study at Hofstra University for three years.
Before he continued to write, DeMille served in the army. He went to the Officer Candidate School and became a Lieutenant from 1966 to 1969.
He earned an Air Medal, a Bronze Star, a Vietnamese Gallantry Cross and an Infantry Combat Badge for his service.
After leaving the army, DeMille returned to Hofstra to earn his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History.
DeMille turned three of his novels into movies, “The General’s Daughter,” “Word of Honor,” and “Mayday.”
DeMille went on to have a flourishing writing career defined by his creative and exciting style.
Alex and Lauren told Newsday that “The Gold Coast” was their father’s favorite original novel.
Published in 1990, the book details the lives of the super-rich residents of Long Island’s North Shore.
Three of his novels have been made into films.
This story is unfolding.