author of bestselling novels judith krantz died at the age of 91 due to natural causes at her bel air home in california on june 22 krantz is known for her novels such asscruples and princess daisy the news of her death was confirmed by krantzs son tony krantz a tv executive according to a report by ap judith krantz started her writing career with journalism she finished her first novel scruples at the age of 50 which became a bestseller her nine other books that followed were also bestsellers krantzs books have been translated into 52 languages and sold more than 85 million copies worldwide they inspired a series of hit miniseries with the help of her husband film and television producer steve krantz talking about becoming an author at 50 she was quoted in a profile on wellesleys website in 2001 just in time for my 50th birthday i discovered that i could write fiction my husband had urged me to try fiction for 15 years before i did i believed that if i couldnt write literature i shouldnt write at allnow i would say to young women do something you have a true feeling for no matter how little talent you may believe you have she added let no masterwork be your goal a modest goal may lead you further than you dreamwhile her work was decidedly less than highbrow krantz made no apologies for the steamy novels with titles like princess daisy mistrals daughter lovers ill take manhattan and the jewels of tessa kent she filled her stories with delicious details about her characters lavish lifestyles designer clothes luxurious estates and enviable romances and she spared no specifics when it came to sex if youre going to write a good erotic scene you have to go into details krantz told the los angeles times in 1990 i dont believe in thunder and lightning and fireworks exploding i think people want to know whats happening so appealing were her sensational stories of highpowered heroines that each novel was reimagined for television as an episodic miniseries steve krantz a millionaire in his own right through such productions as the animated film fritz the cat helped adapt his wifes work for tv the author was also famous for living a glamorous life that paralleled that of her characters her home in los angeles exclusive bel air community featured a soundproof writing room flanked by an immaculately kept garden in her closet were many clothes of designer labels that the characters in her books wore judith krantz was born judith bluma tarcher in 1928 in new york city she is survived by her son his wife and their son