Jacqueline Jill Collins, an English romance novelist and actress, was renowned for her best-selling novels, selling over 500 million copies globally and translated into 40 languages. She moved to Los Angeles in 1985, where she established her prolific writing career. Her 32 novels consistently appeared on The New York Times bestseller list, with eight adapted into films or television miniseries. She was the younger sister of actress Dame Joan Collins.
October 1937: Birth of Jackie Collins
Jackie Collins was born in Hampstead, London in October 1937.
1937: Birth of Jackie Collins
Jackie Collins was born in 1937 to Elsa and Joseph William Collins.
1956: Jackie Collins Visits Los Angeles
In 1956, Jackie Collins visited her sister, Joan, in Los Angeles. She returned to London after failing to secure a U.S. work permit.
1957: Early Acting Roles in British B Movies
Jackie Collins appeared in several British B movies in 1957, including "Barnacle Bill" and "Rock You Sinners".
1958: Continued Pursuit of Acting Career
Jackie Collins continued pursuing her acting career in 1958, appearing in films like "The Safecracker", "Intent to Kill", and "Passport to Shame".
May 1960: Marriage to Wallace Austin and U.S. Citizenship
In May 1960, Jackie Collins married Wallace Austin and obtained her U.S. citizenship.
1960: Jackie Collins in "The Shakedown"
In 1960, she appeared in the film "The Shakedown", credited as Lynn Curtis.
1961: Birth of Daughter Tracy
Jackie Collins gave birth to her daughter, Tracy, in 1961.
1962: Death of Jackie Collins's Mother
Jackie Collins's mother, Elsa Collins, passed away in 1962.
1964: Divorce from Wallace Austin
Jackie Collins and Wallace Austin divorced in 1964.
1965: Marriage to Oscar Lerman
Jackie Collins married Oscar Lerman, an art gallery and nightclub owner, in 1965.
1967: Birth of Daughter Tiffany
Jackie Collins's daughter, Tiffany, was born in 1967.
1968: Publication of "The World Is Full of Married Men"
Jackie Collins's debut novel, "The World Is Full of Married Men," was published in 1968, achieving bestseller status.
1969: Publication of "The Stud"
"The Stud," Jackie Collins's second novel, was released in 1969 and also became a bestseller.
1969: Birth of Daughter Rory
Rory, Jackie Collins's daughter, was born in 1969.
1971: Publication of "Sunday Simmons & Charlie Brick"
In 1971, Jackie Collins published her third novel, "Sunday Simmons & Charlie Brick" (later retitled "Sinners"), marking her first venture into the American setting.
1974: Publication of "Lovehead"
Jackie Collins explored the world of organized crime in her 1974 novel "Lovehead."
1975: Publication of "The World Is Full of Divorced Women"
In 1975, Jackie Collins published "The World Is Full of Divorced Women."
1977: Publication of "Lovers & Gamblers"
"Lovers & Gamblers," a novel about rock/soul star Al King, was published in 1977.
1978: Release of "The Stud" Film Adaptation
The film adaptation of Jackie Collins's novel "The Stud" premiered in 1978, featuring Joan Collins.
1979: Release of "The Bitch" Novel and Film
1979 saw the release of Jackie Collins's novel "The Bitch," a sequel to "The Stud," which was also adapted into a successful film starring Joan Collins.
1980: Brief Television Appearance in "Minder"
Jackie Collins made a brief return to acting with an appearance on the television series "Minder" in 1980.
1980: Release of "The World Is Full of Married Men" Film Adaptation
Jackie Collins wrote the screenplay for the 1980 film adaptation of her novel "The World Is Full of Married Men".
1981: Publication of "Chances"
Jackie Collins embarked on her Santangelo series with the publication of "Chances" in 1981.
1981: Introduction of Lucky Santangelo in "Chances"
Jackie Collins introduced the iconic character Lucky Santangelo in her 1981 novel "Chances."
1983: Publication of "Hollywood Wives"
Jackie Collins achieved major success with her novel "Hollywood Wives," which topped The New York Times bestseller list in 1983.
1984: Retitling of "Sunday Simmons & Charlie Brick"
Jackie Collins's novel "Sunday Simmons & Charlie Brick", originally published in the UK as "The Hollywood Zoo," was retitled "Sinners" worldwide in 1984.
1985: Television Miniseries Adaptation of "Hollywood Wives"
"Hollywood Wives" was adapted into a television miniseries in 1985, produced by Aaron Spelling.
1985: Jackie Collins Moves to Los Angeles
In 1985, Jackie Collins made a significant move to Los Angeles, where she would spend a considerable part of her career.
1985: Publication of "Lucky"
Jackie Collins followed up on "Chances" with the sequel "Lucky" in 1985.
1986: Publication of "Hollywood Husbands"
In 1986, Jackie Collins published "Hollywood Husbands."
1988: Publication of "Rock Star"
Jackie Collins released the novel "Rock Star" in 1988.
1988: Death of Jackie Collins's Father
The year 1988 marked the passing of Joseph William Collins, Jackie Collins's father.
1989: "Lovehead" Retitled as "The Love Killers"
The novel "Lovehead" was re-released as "The Love Killers" in 1989.
1990: Publication of "Lady Boss" and Release of "Lucky Chances" Miniseries
Jackie Collins released the third Lucky Santangelo novel, "Lady Boss," in 1990, and co-produced a miniseries adaptation of the first two Lucky Santangelo books titled "Lucky Chances."
1992: Death of Oscar Lerman and Production of "Lady Boss" Miniseries
Jackie Collins's husband, Oscar Lerman, passed away from cancer in 1992. Around this time, she also wrote and produced a miniseries based on her novel "Lady Boss," starring Kim Delaney.
1992: Death of Oscar Lerman
Oscar Lerman, Jackie Collins's husband, passed away in 1992 due to prostate cancer.
1993: Jackie Collins Featured on "This Is Your Life"
In 1993, Jackie Collins was surprised and honored as the subject of the television program "This Is Your Life."
1993: Publication of "American Star"
Jackie Collins published "American Star" in 1993.
1994: Publication of "Hollywood Kids"
In 1994, Jackie Collins published "Hollywood Kids."
1994: Engagement to Frank Calcagnini
Jackie Collins became engaged to Frank Calcagnini, a Los Angeles business executive, in 1994.
1996: Publication of "Vendetta: Lucky's Revenge"
"Vendetta: Lucky's Revenge," the fourth installment in the Lucky Santangelo series, was published in 1996.
1998: Death of Frank Calcagnini
Frank Calcagnini, Jackie Collins's fiancé, passed away from a brain tumor in 1998.
1998: "Jackie Collins' Hollywood" Talk Show and Publication of "Thrill"
Jackie Collins hosted a short-lived talk show, "Jackie Collins' Hollywood," in 1998. The same year, she also released the novel "Thrill."
1999: Publication of "Dangerous Kiss"
The fifth Lucky Santangelo novel, "Dangerous Kiss," was published in 1999.
2000: Publication of "Lethal Seduction"
Jackie Collins brought back the character Madison Castelli in the 2000 novel "Lethal Seduction."
2001: Publication of "Hollywood Wives: The New Generation"
The year 2001 saw the release of "Hollywood Wives: The New Generation," which was later adapted into a television movie.
2002: Publication of "Deadly Embrace"
Jackie Collins published "Deadly Embrace," another novel featuring Madison Castelli, in 2002.
2003: Television Movie Adaptation of "Hollywood Wives: The New Generation"
The television movie adaptation of "Hollywood Wives: The New Generation" premiered in 2003.
2004: "Jackie Collins Presents" on E! Entertainment Television
Jackie Collins hosted the television specials "Jackie Collins Presents" for E! Entertainment Television in 2004.
2006: Publication of "Lovers & Players"
Jackie Collins published the novel "Lovers & Players" in 2006.
2007: Publication of "Drop Dead Beautiful"
"Drop Dead Beautiful," the sixth book in the Lucky Santangelo series, was released in 2007.
2008: Publication of "Married Lovers"
Jackie Collins's novel "Married Lovers," exploring the life of personal trainer Cameron Paradise, was published in 2008.
2009: Publication of "Poor Little Bitch Girl"
In 2009, Jackie Collins published "Poor Little Bitch Girl," a novel that developed from an unproduced television series idea.
2010: "Paris Connections" Film Release
In 2010, "Paris Connections," a movie based on Jackie Collins's L.A. Connections series, premiered. Collins took on the role of co-producer for this project.
February 2013: Publication of "The Power Trip"
Jackie Collins published her 29th novel, titled "The Power Trip," in February 2013.
2013: Appointment as Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Jackie Collins was honored with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to fiction and charity in 2013.
February 2014: Publication of "Confessions of a Wild Child" and Movie Deal
In February 2014, Collins released "Confessions of a Wild Child." Notably, the novel secured a movie deal even before its publication.
2014: Release of "The Lucky Santangelo Cookbook"
In 2014, Jackie Collins ventured into the culinary world with the publication of "The Lucky Santangelo Cookbook." The cookbook drew inspiration from the character Lucky Santangelo, featured in nine of her novels.
September 2015: Passing of Jackie Collins
Jackie Collins passed away in September 2015 due to breast cancer, which she had privately battled for over six years.
September 2015: Death of Jackie Collins
Jackie Collins passed away in September 2015.
2015: Publication of "The Santangelos"
Jackie Collins published "The Santangelos" in 2015, marking the final installment in her Santangelo series, which began with "Chances" in 1981.