<p>Historical novelist Hilary Mantel, the first British writer to win the Booker Prize twice, has died aged 70, her publishers 4th Estate Books announced on Friday.</p>.<p>"We are heartbroken at the death of our beloved author, Dame Hilary Mantel, and our thoughts are with her friends and family, especially her husband, Gerald," a statement said, without providing any other details.</p>.<p>"This is a devastating loss and we can only be grateful she left us with such a magnificent body of work."</p>.<p>Mantel won the Booker Prize for her works <em>Wolf Hall</em> and <em>Bring Up the Bodies.</em></p>.<p>"Hilary Mantel was one of the greatest English novelists of this century and her beloved works are considered modern classics. She will be greatly missed," the publisher added.</p>.<p>Nicholas Pearson, former 4th Estate publishing director, said news of her death was "devastating".</p>.<p>"Hilary had a unique outlook on the world -- she picked it apart and revealed how it works in both her contemporary and historical novels -- every book an unforgettable weave of luminous sentences, unforgettable characters and remarkable insight.</p>.<p>"She seemed to know everything. For a long time she was critically admired, but <em>The Wolf Hall</em> Trilogy found her the vast readership she long deserved."</p>
<p>Historical novelist Hilary Mantel, the first British writer to win the Booker Prize twice, has died aged 70, her publishers 4th Estate Books announced on Friday.</p>.<p>"We are heartbroken at the death of our beloved author, Dame Hilary Mantel, and our thoughts are with her friends and family, especially her husband, Gerald," a statement said, without providing any other details.</p>.<p>"This is a devastating loss and we can only be grateful she left us with such a magnificent body of work."</p>.<p>Mantel won the Booker Prize for her works <em>Wolf Hall</em> and <em>Bring Up the Bodies.</em></p>.<p>"Hilary Mantel was one of the greatest English novelists of this century and her beloved works are considered modern classics. She will be greatly missed," the publisher added.</p>.<p>Nicholas Pearson, former 4th Estate publishing director, said news of her death was "devastating".</p>.<p>"Hilary had a unique outlook on the world -- she picked it apart and revealed how it works in both her contemporary and historical novels -- every book an unforgettable weave of luminous sentences, unforgettable characters and remarkable insight.</p>.<p>"She seemed to know everything. For a long time she was critically admired, but <em>The Wolf Hall</em> Trilogy found her the vast readership she long deserved."</p>