'Day of the Jackal' author Frederick Forsyth dies at 86

Frederick Forsyth, the renowned British novelist best known for his international bestseller The Day of the Jackal, died on Monday at the age of 86. His agent, Jonathan Lloyd, confirmed that Forsyth passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, following a brief illness.

“We are sad to have lost one of the world’s finest thriller writers,” Lloyd said in a statement.

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Born in Kent, England, in 1938, Forsyth began his career as a pilot for the Royal Air Force before transitioning to journalism. As a foreign correspondent, he covered major global events, including the 1962 attempt on the life of French President Charles de Gaulle — an incident that would later inspire his breakout novel.

Globe-trotting life

Forsyth achieved instant fame with the release of The Day of the Jackal in 1971, a gripping political thriller about a professional assassin hired to kill de Gaulle. The novel became a global phenomenon and was adapted into a 1973 film starring Edward Fox. A recent television adaptation features Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch.

For inspiration he drew on his own globe-trotting life, including an early stint as a foreign correspondent and assisting Britain's spy service on missions in Nigeria, South Africa, and the former East Germany and Rhodesia.

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In a 2015 BBC interview, Forsyth indicated he had been cooperating with British intelligence service MI6 during his years as a journalist. He stated that he was never remunerated for his assistance but was frequently asked to deliver information, especially during the Cold War.

Over his prolific career, Forsyth authored more than 25 novels, including The Odessa File, The Dogs of War, The Fist of God, The Kill List, and The Afghan. His books have sold over 75 million copies worldwide.