An inquest’s heard Dame Jilly Cooper suffered a fatal head injury after a fall at home.
The best-selling author was initially alert following the incident last month – but the 88 year old’s condition deteriorated.
The Gloucestershire coroner’s recorded an accidental death.
Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, said Dame Jilly died as a result of a traumatic subdural haematoma.
The coroner said: ‘The circumstances surrounding her tragic death were she had suffered an unwitnessed fall at her home address on October 4.
‘She fell, perhaps down some stairs, sustaining a significant head injury.
‘There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding her fall. She passed away later, on October 5, with family present.’