‘Vampire Diaries’ writer L.J. Smith dies at age 66
The young-adult fiction style misplaced a gem.
Beloved writer L.J. Smith, finest identified for The Vampire Diaries, has handed away at age 66.
“Lisa Jane Smith of Danville, California passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 8, 2025, after a long bout with illness,” an obituary on her web site confirmed.
“Known to her readers as L.J. Smith, Lisa was a New York Times bestselling author of young-adult fiction.”
Whereas the official reason behind demise was not disclosed, Smith had confronted critical well being challenges previously.
In 2015, she was hospitalized for 2 months and positioned on a ventilator resulting from an undiagnosed battle with granulomatosis with polyangiitis, a uncommon autoimmune illness that induced extreme injury to her kidneys, coronary heart, liver, and gallbladder.
It stays unclear if her passing was associated to those prior well being problems.
Smith’s influence on the literary world is plain.
She wrote over 29 books, together with The Vampire Diaries, which later turned successful TV collection starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder. Her different works embody Night time World, The Secret Circle—which additionally noticed a quick CW adaptation—Darkish Visions, and The Forbidden Sport.
“Her novels not only entertained, but also offered solace and inspiration, making her a cherished companion to readers around the world,” her obituary said.
Smith is survived by her longtime companion, Julie Divola, her sister Judy Clifford, niece Lauren Clifford, nephew Brian Clifford, Brian’s spouse Taylor Acampora, and Lauren’s son, Wyatt Nicholson.
“Lisa was a kind and gentle soul, whose brilliance, creativity, resilience and empathy, illuminated the lives of her family, friends and fans alike,” her family members shared.
“She will be remembered for her imaginative spirit, her pioneering role in supernatural fiction, and her generosity, warmth and heart, both on and off the page.”
The tribute concluded with Smith’s personal phrases, “Nothing really dies as long as it’s not forgotten.”
