'The Day of The Jackal' author Frederick Forsyth dies aged 86
Prolific British thriller writer Frederick Forsyth, who instantly became a global bestselling author when his book "The Day of the Jackal" was published in 1971, died on Monday aged 86, his literary agents Curtis Brown said.
Forsyth famously penned his most famous work about a fictional assassination attempt on French president Charles de Gaulle by right-wing extremists in just 35 days after falling on hard times.
"The Jackal" went on to be made into a hit film starring Edward Fox as the assassin. A Netflix remake last year with Eddie Redmayne in the lead role was released last year.
"We mourn the passing of one of the world's greatest thriller writers," his agent Jonathan Lloyd said.
Forsyth died at home surrounded by his family following a brief illness, according to Curtis Brown.
The former journalist and pilot wrote over 25 books including "The Odessa File" (1972) and "The Dogs of War" (1974) and sold over 75 million copies worldwide.
Many of his novels were also turned into films.
"Only a few weeks ago I sat with him as we watched a new and moving documentary of his life ... and was reminded of an extraordinary life, well lived," said Lloyd.
"After serving as one of the youngest ever RAF pilots, he turned to journalism, using his gift for languages in German, French and Russian to become a foreign correspondent in Biafra (in Nigeria)," he said.
'Spectacular luck'
"Appalled at what he saw and using his experience during a stint as a secret service agent, he wrote his first and perhaps most famous novel, 'The Day Of The Jackal'," he added.
A sequel to "The Odessa File", entitled "Revenge Of Odessa", on which he worked with thriller writer Tony Kent, is due to be published in August, his publisher Bill Scott-Kerr said.
"His journalistic background brought a rigour and a metronomic efficiency to his working practice and his nose for and understanding of a great story kept his novels both thrillingly contemporary and fresh," Scott-Kerr added.
Forsyth attributed much of his success to "luck", recalling how a bullet narrowly missed him while he was covering the bloody Biafra civil war between 1967 and 1970.
"I have had the most spectacular luck all through my life," he told The Times last November in an interview.
"Right place, right time, right person, right contact, right promotion -- and even just turning my head away when that bullet went past," he said.
Asked why he had decided to give up writing -- although he later went back to it -- he told AFP in 2016 he'd "run out of things to say".
"I can't just sit at home and do a nice little romance from within my study, I have to go out and check out places like Modagishu, Guinea Bissau, both hellholes in different ways," he said.
Forsyth had two sons by his first wife. His second wife, Sandy, died last year.
Conservative MP David Davis paid tribute to his friend as a "fabulous wordsmith".
He told Sky News that Forsyth "was a great believer in the old values -- he believed in honour and patriotism and courage and directness and straightforwardness, and a big defender of our armed forces".
Agence France-Presse
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ARN News Center
2 hours ago
- ARN News Center
F1 movie star Pitt finally gets to drive a Formula One car
Brad Pitt, whose new F1 movie is out next week, has now driven a Formula One car for real after testing a McLaren at Austin's Circuit of the Americas. The reigning world champions confirmed the Hollywood A lister drove a 2023 McLaren MCL60 car at the Texas track on Thursday. Media reports said the British-based team had been carrying out a private test with F1 regular Lando Norris and F2 driver Alex Dunne. It was the first time 61-year-old Pitt, who plays the fictional racing driver Sonny Hayes in the Apple Originals movie, had driven a real Formula One car on track. The cars used in the making of the film were Formula Two cars, modified by Mercedes to look like real grand prix racers. Champions McLaren had teased the drive on Thursday with a social media post of overalls with the initials BP and the caption "It's a Sonny day in Austin". Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, a co-producer of the movie, said in March that Pitt had shown real speed while testing the F2 cars. "Watching Brad drive around at speeds over 180 miles an hour was really impressive to see because it's not something you can just learn overnight," he said. "The dedication and the focus that Brad put into this process has been amazing to witness."
What's On
4 hours ago
- What's On
No visa no problem: eat your way around the world in Dubai
With over 200 nationalities stirring the pot, Dubai's menus are as global as its skyline. From family recipes passed down through generations to cult favourite street food reimagined by top chefs, these dishes are steeped in tradition and bursting with flavour. Hungry for culture? You could basically eat your way around the world in a weekend all without leaving the city. Spain: Cochinillo Eterno Asado de Segovia at Lola Taberna Española HOLA! Feast like a true Spaniard with Lola's Cochinillo, a traditional whole roasted suckling pig from Segovia. Weighing 5kg and serving 6 to 8 people, it's crisp on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. Available for dine-in or to enjoy at home, this Spanish delicacy must be reserved 24 hours in advance. Location: Lola Taberna Española Operating Hours: Daily from 1pm to 11:30pm Cost: Dhs1199 Contact: (0)4 247 6688, @lolataberna England: Weekend Roast at Dhow & Anchor HELLO! A true taste of British tradition, Dhow & Anchor's Weekend Roast is all about crisp roast potatoes, slow-cooked meats and the star of the plate, the Yorkshire pudding. Served in a fully air-conditioned summer tent with views of Burj Al Arab, this hearty feast includes classics like roast beef, lamb leg, and vegetarian options, finished off with beloved British desserts. Location: Dhow & Anchor, Jumeirah Beach Hotel Time: Sat and Sun, 12pm to 10pm Cost: Dhs125 (main), Dhs165 (main + dessert) Contact: 800 323232, @dhowandanchor Greece: Thalassa Brunch at Ammos, Rixos JBR YA! Thalassa, the Greek word for 'sea' comes alive every Friday night bringing the spirit of the Aegean coast to Dubai. Set by the moonlit sea, this brunch celebrates vibrant Mediterranean flavours with fresh seafood, sharing plates, and beloved Greek classics like grilled octopus and saganaki. Feel the island energy and Opa to good food and great greek vibes. Location: Ammos, Rixos Premium Dubai JBR Time: Fridays, 8pm to 11pm Cost: Dhs395 (house beverages), Dhs495 (premium drinks) Contact: (0)52 777 9473, @ammosdubai China: After Dark Brunch at Mott 32 NI HAO! Step into the flavours of modern China at Mott 32's After Dark brunch — a bold, award-winning reinterpretation of traditional Chinese dining, set sky-high on the 73rd floor. Surrounded by glittering skyscrapers, you could easily imagine yourself in the heart of Shanghai or Hong Kong. The specially curated Chinese menu includes free-range Chicken Soup Dumplings, Kung Pao Prawns, and Ma Po Tofu with chili paste — authentic dishes that take you straight back to the streets of China. To complete the experience, enjoy two hours of free-flowing beverages, including house favourites and Chinese-inspired cocktails like the Sichuan Margarita. Live DJ sets and roaming entertainment add to the vibrant, high-energy vibe. Location: Mott 32, Address Beach Resort JBR Time: Every Thursday, 8pm to 10pm Cost: Dhs345 per person (includes two-hour drinks package) Contact: (0)4 582 8888, @mott32dubai South Africa: Hyperama Diner & Store HOWZIT! Hyperama brings the authentic taste of South Africa to Dubai with a menu full of beloved classics like Bunny Chow's, Gatsby sandwiches, and traditional boerewors grilled to perfection. Enjoy hearty meals inspired by South African street food and home cooking, all served in a warm, welcoming setting. Next door, their South African store offers a treasure trove of goodies, from biltong and droëwors to Simba chips and specialty sauces, so you can bring a true taste of South Africa home. Location: Hyperama Diner, Al Shafar Building, Al Quoz, Dubai Operating Hours: Daily, 8 AM – 11 PM Contact: (0)58 108 8786, @hyperamauae India: Punjab Grill NAMASTE! Rooted in the royal kitchens of North India, Punjab Grill brings a regal dining experience to Dubai. From tandoori lobster and lamb chops to chaats bursting with spice and colour, every dish is a celebration of Indian heritage. Expect rich curries, smoky grills, and traditional flavours elevated with modern flair, all served in a luxurious setting inspired by the grandeur of Indian palaces. It's a go to for those craving soulful Indian dining, from intimate dinners and flavour packed lunches to a weekend brunch filled with masala, melody, and modern Indian magic. Location: Punjab Grill, Anantara Downtown Dubai, Business Bay Operating Hours: daily, 11:30am to 11:30pm Contact: (0)50 194 1107, @punjabgrilldubai Images: Unsplash
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Abdulla Al Hamed meets Arab content creators in Cannes
21 June 2025 19:35 CANNES (WAM) Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office (NMO) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Media Council, met with a number of Arab content creators during his participation in the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in the French city of meeting was attended by Dr. Jamal Mohammed Obaid Al Kaabi, Director-General of the National Media meeting highlighted the upcoming BRIDGE Summit, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi this December, as a global platform for fostering media collaboration and developing an advanced media ecosystem that anticipates future Hamed affirmed that the summit provides a vital space for engagement, knowledge exchange and the creation of new media solutions that amplify the positive impact of content. He invited content creators to actively participate in the summit's activities, emphasising their pivotal role in shaping public awareness and delivering creative messages to diverse audiences across digital added that content creation has become a powerful tool for building awareness and culture, and an essential element in supporting the path of sustainable development. Al Hamed also stressed the importance of producing content that reflects Arab culture and issues and communicating them to global audiences, especially in relation to the aspirations of Arab youth for development and prosperity.
