# Internationally acclaimed author Wilbur Smith has died at his home in Cape Town, aged 88. His publisher describes Smith’s death as unexpected and says his wife Niso was by his side. With 49 titles since his first novel When the Lion Feeds in 1964, Smith became a household name in thriller writing. Over 140-million copies of his work have been sold worldwide in more than 30 languages. Many of his novels feature the Courtney family, following their exploits across the globe over three centuries. It became the longest running series in publishing history.