July 30th 2024.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Francine Pascal, the beloved creator of the Sweet Valley High book series. At the age of 92, Pascal passed away in her home in Manhattan, New York on Sunday due to lymphoma, as confirmed by her daughter.
Pascal's most famous work, Sweet Valley High, consisted of a staggering 181 books, with the first 12 written by Pascal herself. The series revolved around the lives of identical twins, Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, and later became a popular television show with the same name. The show aired from 1994 to 1997 and featured real-life twins Brittany and Cynthia Daniel, along with Ryan James Bittle and Andrea Savage.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Pascal shared the story behind the creation of Sweet Valley High. As a former soap-opera scriptwriter for The Young Marrieds, Pascal was approached by a friend who suggested the idea of a "Dallas for young people." This sparked an idea in Pascal's mind and since she had a book proposal due, she decided to give it a shot. With her personal connections to twins, including her agent and sister-in-law, Pascal was inspired to create the iconic Wakefield twins. Bantam Books picked up the series and ordered all 12 books, which were written in a quick and fertile manner.
The success of Sweet Valley High led to two sequels, Sweet Valley Confidential and The Sweet Life, which followed the twins into their adult lives and were published in 2011 and 2012 respectively. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Pascal reflected on the evolution of the franchise and how, despite the changes in time and fashion, the core of teenagehood remains the same. She also wrote other adult novels, including Save Johanna! and If Wishes Were Horses, and was the mastermind behind the popular Fearless book series in the 90s.
Pascal is survived by her two daughters, Laurie and Susan. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and fans.
If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures to share, please reach out to our entertainment team by emailing us, calling 020 3615 2145, or visiting our Submit Stuff page. We would love to hear from you. May Francine Pascal's legacy continue to inspire future generations of readers and writers.
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