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John le Carré’s widow Jane dies aged 82 ‘of broken heart’ weeks after husband’s death
John le Carré’s widow Valerie Jane Eustace died ‘of a broken heart’ just weeks after her husband passed away.
A family spokesperson confirmed former book editor Valerie, known as Jane to her family and friends, died ‘peacefully’ at their home in Cornwall last Saturday.
Jane, 82, was married to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy author le Carré, real name David Cornwall, for 48 years until his death in December 2020.
John said his beloved wife had been instrumental in his work.
Jonny Geller of The Curtis Brown Group tweeted: ‘Jane Cornwell, devoted wife of David Cornwell (John le Carré) passed away last weekend.
‘Jane was a wonderful woman. She was his secret editor & first reader & wise counsel. David wrote everyday & she read & commented on each page. I will miss her. Thoughts are with the family.’
Jane got together with John towards the end of his marriage to Ann Sharp, which was dissolved in 1971, and in a letter he wrote to his psychiatrist, John referred to Jane as ‘a mistress who might very well provide me with the happiness I speak of – and whom I in turn can please with my success, if it returns, and my talent, if it has not left; but she has the rare gift of not pressing me, and we have no particular plans.’
He continued: ‘In the time we have been together – admittedly never long – I have been content, and have written a great deal.
‘When this last book was in shreds, it was she who helped me piece it together and make something of it. I find her compassionate, understanding and remarkably intelligent.’
The couple welcomed a son together, Nicholas, who writes as Nick Harkaway; John was also father to Simon, Stephen and Timothy from his first marriage.
A biography published in 2015 said that the pair’s marriage was plagued by infidelities on John’s part, but their relationship never suffered, with Jane quoted as telling a friend: ‘Nobody can have all of [John].’
Jane’s death comes weeks after the death of John’s half-sister Charlotte Cornwall, who he based the main character in The Little Drummer Girl on.
The actress died of cancer aged 71 in January.
Acclaimed author John’s death aged 89 in December was confirmed by his family in a statement which read: ‘It is with great sadness that we must confirm that David Cornwell – John le Carré – passed away from pneumonia last Saturday night after a short battle with the illness.
‘David is survived by his beloved wife of almost fifty years, Jane, and his sons Nicholas, Timothy, Stephen and Simon. We all grieve deeply his passing.
‘‘Our thanks go to the wonderful NHS team at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro for the care and compassion that he was shown throughout his stay. We know they share our sadness.’
He died from pneumonia, which was not related to Covid-19.
Considered one of Britain’s greatest writers, John was known for acclaimed books including Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, A Perfect Spy, The Night Manager, and The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, with much of his work being adapted for television and cinema.
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