Julie Powell, the food writer best known for her wildly popular memoir “Julie & Julia,” has died suddenly at the age of 49.
“‘Julie & Julia’ became an instant classic and it is with gratitude for her unique voice that we will now remember Julie’s dazzling brilliance and originality,” Judy Clain, the editor-in-chief of Little, Brown and Co., said in a statement announcing her death.
“We mourn her loss with her husband Eric and her family. We are sending our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Julie, whether personally or through the deep connections she forged with readers of her memoirs. She was a brilliant writer and a daring, original person and she will not be forgotten.”
Powell had been tweeting about not feeling well in recent weeks.
She also tweeted about being vaccinated and boosted several times.
“So, as a vaccinated, boosted person, I’ve not been tested for Covid. Is it possible for me to be at this point? The Long Covid thing worries me, but also keep in mind that I’m a hypochondriac.”
Powell also tweeted about not allowing unvaccinated relatives into her home.
“My cousin won’t get vaccinated and I don’t want to allow him in the house with my niece and nephew who are too young to be vaccinated”
Powell died at her home in Olivebridge, New York on October 26.
Thousands of fans flocked to pay tribute on Twitter following the news of Powell’s sudden death.
“I remember with alarming clarity what it felt like to find Julie Powell’s blog in the mid-2000s, when I was bored and frustrated and not writing what I wanted to; she made things feel possible in a way I had not seen them before. I’m so sad about this news,” one wrote.
“This is just heartbreaking news,” another mourned. “Follow those dreams you’re dreaming right now.”
