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LONDON, UK: Frederick Forsyth, the renowned British author behind “The Day of the Jackal” and numerous other bestselling thrillers, has passed away at the age of 86 after a short illness, his literary agent announced this week.

According to Jonathan Lloyd, Forsyth died at his home early that morning, surrounded by family. Lloyd expressed deep sorrow over the loss, noting Forsyth’s status as one of the preeminent thriller writers in the world.

Forsyth was born in Kent, England, in 1938 and initially served as a pilot in the Royal Air Force before transitioning to a career as a foreign correspondent. His coverage of the attempted assassination of French President Charles de Gaulle in 1962 inspired him to write “The Day of the Jackal,” a gripping political thriller centered on a professional assassin.

Published in 1971, the novel catapulted him to international fame and was adapted into a film in 1973 starring Edward Fox as the Jackal. A more recent television adaptation starred Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch.

In 2015, Forsyth revealed to the BBC that he had also been affiliated with the British intelligence agency MI6 for many years, starting during his coverage of a civil war in Nigeria in the 1960s. He mentioned undertaking various roles for the agency without payment, noting that it was difficult to refuse requests for information. “The zeitgeist was different,” he shared. “The Cold War was very much on.”

Forsyth authored over 25 books, including notable titles like “The Afghan,” “The Kill List,” “The Dogs of War,” and “The Fist of God,” which have collectively sold more than 75 million copies, according to his agent. His publisher, Bill Scott-Kerr, recently mentioned that Forsyth’s upcoming book, “Revenge of Odessa,” co-written with fellow thriller novelist Tony Kent, is set for release in August.

Scott-Kerr remarked on Forsyth’s enduring legacy, stating, “Still read by millions around the globe, Freddie’s thrillers define the genre and remain the benchmark for contemporary writers.”

Following “The Day of the Jackal,” Forsyth released “The Odessa File” in 1972, which was later adapted into a film featuring Jon Voight. Among his other hits is “The Fourth Protocol,” which was made into a movie in 1984 starring Michael Caine and Pierce Brosnan. In recognition of his contributions to literature, he was appointed a CBE in 1997.

Forsyth is survived by two sons from his first marriage to Carole Cunningham. His second wife, Sandy Molloy, passed away in October of last year.