Bestselling novelist Sidney Sheldon dies at 89

Sidney Sheldon: listed by The Guinness Book of Records as 'the world's most translated author'
11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Bestselling novelist and Oscar-winning Hollywood screenwriter Sidney Sheldon, has died at the age of 89.

The prolific author died of complications from pneumonia at a California hospital.

Sheldon became a household name in the 1970s with bestselling novels The Other Side Of Midnight and Bloodline, spun out of international and romantic intrigue.

"I don't write for critics. I write for readers," was his response to bad reviews.

His 18 published novels sold 300 million copies, and were translated into 71 languages — The Guinness Book of Records lists him as 'the world's most translated author'.

But before his writing career took off at the age of 50, the Chicago native had three Broadway hits by 25 and an Oscar five years later for best screenplay.

He was also the creator and producer of the hit show I Dream Of Jeannie.

Sheldon is survived by his wife Alexandra, daughter Mary and a brother Richard.

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