NEW YORK — Francine Pascal, a onetime soap opera writer whose “Sweet Valley High” novels and the ongoing adventures of twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield and other teens captivated millions of young readers, has died at age 92.
Pascal died Sunday, her publisher, Penguin Random House, said. It did not immediately have additional information Tuesday.
Starting in 1983, Francine Pascal oversaw the completion of more than 150 “Sweet Valley High” stories with the help of others. They were set in an imaginary Los Angeles suburb, one of “gently rolling hills” and a “fantastic white sand beach” nearby. In best sellers such as “Double Love,” “Power Play” and “All Night Long,” the Wakefield girls and their schoolmates navigate dating, family conflicts, sibling rivalries, more troubling themes such as race, divorce and mortality and even vampires and werewolves.
“Sweet Valley is the essence of high school,” Pascal told People magazine in 1988. “It’s that moment before reality hits, when you really do believe in the romantic values — sacrifice, love, loyalty, friendship — before you get jaded and slip off into adulthood.”
Her books sold more than 200 million copies, and included “Sweet Valley” spinoffs and sequels. After the initial novels took off, Pascal brought in outside writers, providing them general outlines and a “bible” of the books’ characters.
“It was mostly very young, new writers,” she told Entertainment Weekly in 2019. “The story outlines weren’t chapter by chapter, more like acts: You get from here to here in the first quarter, then you have to get from here to here. Don’t forget, they already had the bible, where I had written deeply into the lives of the twins and their backgrounds. With the characters, you knew what they liked, you knew what the walls in their room (looked like), every single thing about them.”
Born Francine Paula Rubin, Pascal was a New York City native who studied journalism at New York University, wrote for such magazines as Cosmopolitan and Ladies’ Home Journal and, with second husband John Pascal, found work with the soap opera “The Young Marrieds.” When Francine Pascal began thinking of creating her own series, she took a friend’s advice and developed what became the Sweet Valley books.
The concept: “Dallas” for young people. The main characters: twin sisters, one mischievous (Jessica), the other more sensible (Elizabeth).
“There are a lot of twins in my life,” she told Entertainment Weekly. “My sister-in-law was a twin. People are always fascinated by twins. You’ll never be alone.”
Pascal and her first husband, Jerome Offenberg, divorced in 1963. They had three daughters, one of whom, Jamie, died in 2008. John Pascal died in 1981.
Francine Pascal, the beloved creator of the iconic ‘Sweet Valley High’ book series, has passed away at the age of 92. Pascal, who was born on May 13, 1938, in New York City, was a prolific author who wrote over 250 books during her career. However, it was her creation of the ‘Sweet Valley High’ series that made her a household name and endeared her to millions of readers around the world.
The ‘Sweet Valley High’ series, which debuted in 1983, followed the lives of identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield as they navigated the ups and downs of high school life in the fictional town of Sweet Valley, California. The books were a massive success, selling over 150 million copies worldwide and spawning numerous spin-off series, TV shows, and merchandise.
Pascal’s writing was known for its relatable characters, engaging storylines, and timeless themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery. Her books resonated with readers of all ages, from teenagers who saw themselves in the Wakefield twins to adults who fondly remembered their own high school experiences.
In addition to her work on the ‘Sweet Valley High’ series, Pascal also wrote several other popular book series, including ‘Fearless’ and ‘The Ruling Class.’ She was a trailblazer in the young adult fiction genre, paving the way for future authors to explore complex issues and diverse perspectives in their writing.
Pascal’s passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from fans, fellow authors, and industry professionals. Many have praised her for her contributions to literature and for the impact she had on generations of readers. Her legacy will live on through her books, which continue to inspire and entertain readers around the world.
As we mourn the loss of Francine Pascal, we also celebrate the incredible legacy she leaves behind. Her words will continue to resonate with readers for years to come, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the enduring impact of a good book. Rest in peace, Francine Pascal. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world.
