Who Was Wilbur Smith’s First Wife Danielle Antoinette Thomas And What Happened To Her?

Wilbur Smith was a Zambian-born South African novelist and writer best known for his work in historical fiction focusing on international involvement in Southern Africa.

Wilbur Addison Smith was born on 9 January 1933 in Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia (now Kabwe, Zambia) to Elfreda Lawrence and Herbert James Smith. He was named after aviator Wilbur Wright and was raised together with his younger sister Adrienne.

Wilbur Smith passed away unexpectedly in his Cape Town home on 13 November 2021 at the age of 88 years.

Who Was Wilbur Smith’s First Wife Danielle Antoinette Thomas?

Wilbur Smith met Danielle Thomas at the time when she was a young divorcée. She had been born in the same town as Smith and was a fan. The pair got married in 1971.

Danielle Antoinette Thomas was born in Zambia to British and Welsh/Irish parents. She graduated from the University of Cape Town and later proceeded to teach for fifteen years. She did some research for her author husband, Wilbur Smith for over twenty years.

Danielle Antoinette Thomas is best known for her four novels, CHILDREN OF THE DARKNESS, VOICES IN THE WIND, CRY OF SILENCE, and DRUMBEAT which were all huge accomplishments.

What Happened To Danielle Antoinette Thomas?

Wilbur Smith’s wife Danielle Antoinette Thomas died from brain cancer in 1999, following a six-year illness.