Famed novelist Clive Cussler whose book Sahara was turned into a blockbuster film starring Matthew McConaughey dies, aged 88
- Clive Cussler, who wrote more than two dozen novels, died Monday, aged 88
- His wife, Janet Horvath, shared the news on his official Twitter page Wednesday
- Cussler's 1992 adventure novel, Sahara was turned into a blockbuster movie starring Matthew McConaughey, in 2005
Novelist Clive Cussler, whose book Sahara was turned into a blockbuster movie starring Matthew McConaughey, has died. He was 88.
Cussler's wife, Janet Horvath, shared the news of her husband's death on his Twitter account Wednesday afternoon.
'It is with a heavy heart that I share the sad news that my husband Clive passed away Mon,' Horvath wrote.
Novelist Clive Cussler (pictured in 2004), who wrote more than two dozen novels, died Monday, aged 88
Cussler's wife, Janet Horvath (left), shared the news of her husband's death on his Twitter account Wednesday afternoon
'It has been a privilege to share in his life. I want to thank you his fans & friends for all the support. He was the kindest most gentle man I ever met. I know, his adventures will continue.' Cussler is pictured with his wife and their adorable dogs on Christmas Day in 2019
Horvath's emotional tweet was accompanied by a photo of them driving in one of their cars
'It has been a privilege to share in his life. I want to thank you his fans & friends for all the support. He was the kindest most gentle man I ever met. I know, his adventures will continue.'
Her emotional tweet was accompanied by a photo of them driving in one of their cars.
Horvath didn't disclose the cause of death.
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Fans immediately expressed their love for the 'gifted storyteller' who wrote more than two dozen novels, including his 1992 adventure story, Sahara.
Sahara was turned into a feature film in 2005, starring McConaughey, Steve Zahn and Penélope Cruz.
The book is one of Cussler's famed Dirk Pitt novels that follows Pitt through the African desert in search of a ship with treasure rumored to have vanished long ago.
Fans immediately expressed their love for the 'gifted storyteller' who wrote more than two dozen novels, including his 1992 adventure story, Sahara (right). Sahara was turned into a feature film in 2005, starring McConaughey (left), Steve Zahn and Penélope Cruz
Cussler's (pictured in June 1977) 1976 adventure novel, Raise the Titanic, also one of his Dirk Pitt books, became a movie in 1980. It grossed $7million
Cussler has sold more than 100 million books (two book covers pictured) throughout his career
Sahara grossed $122million at the time and it became the highest-grossing movie adapted from Cussler's novels.
His 1976 adventure novel, Raise the Titanic, also one of his Dirk Pitt books, became a movie in 1980. It grossed $7million.
Dirk is also the name of Cussler's son, who helped the author write several of his books, including Celtic Empire (2019), Odessa Sea (2016) and Havana Storm (2014).
Cussler, who was born in Aurora, Illinois, was dubbed the 'Grand Master of Adventure' early on in his career.
He enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War where he served as an aircraft mechanic and flight engineer in the Military Air Transport Service.
Cussler (right) was married for nearly 50 years to his first wife, Barbara Knight. She died in 2003. Together Cussler and Knight had three children, Dirk (second from right), Dayna (center, front) and Teri (third from left, wearing a tank top)
Cussler (pictured in September 2011) is survived by his second wife, Janet, and his three children
Cussler began writing in 1965 and published his first novel, The Mediterranean Caper, featuring the character Dirk Pitt in 1973.
In 1996, he released his first piece of non-fiction, The Sea Hunters. The Board of Governors of the Maritime College, State University of New York later considered The Sea Hunters in lieu of a Ph.D. thesis and awarded Cussler a Doctor of Letters degree in May of 1997.
It was the first time since the college was founded in 1874 that such a degree was bestowed.
Cussler also founded the National Underwater & Marine Agency, (NUMA) a nonprofit organization that dedicates itself to American maritime and naval history.
After the organization was established, Cussler and his crew of marine experts and volunteers discovered more than 60 historically significant underwater wreck sites.
Among their discoveries was the C.S.S. Hunley, the first submarine to sink a ship in battle and the U-20, the U-boat that sank the Lusitania.
Cussler was also a classic automobile collector.
He established the Cussler Museum in Colorado that's dedicated to the preservation of rare and vintage automobiles from all over the world.
Cussler, who has sold more than 100 million books throughout his career, was married for nearly 50 years to his first wife, Barbara Knight. She died in 2003.
Together Cussler and Knight had three children, Dirk, Dayna and Teri.
Cussler is survived by his second wife, Janet, and his three children.
