Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92

Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92

As a child of the ’80s who grew up devouring every Sweet Valley High book I could get my hands on, I am deeply saddened by the passing of Francine Pascal. Her stories were more than just books to me; they were my escape, my companions, and a significant part of my formative years.


Brittany and Cynthia Daniel, famous for their roles in the TV version of Sweet Valley High, have honored the creator behind this cherished series.

On Tuesday morning, at the age of 92, Francine Pascal, renowned for writing the Sweet Valley High series and producing its TV version, passed away after a long fight against cancer.

Reflecting on the woman who brought the twin duo Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield to life, I (as a dedicated fan) am reminded of Brittany and Cynthia, the remarkable actresses who portrayed them so vividly in our beloved television series.

The twin sisters, aged 48, expressed in a statement to People that she had a profound impact on numerous individuals by delivering heartwarming and authentic performances depicting adolescent experiences and life.

‘We always felt loved and appreciated by Francine. She’ll be greatly missed,’ they added. 

Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92

Beyond writing the book series, Pascal also took on the role of an executive producer for the television series that ran from 1994 to 1998.

On Tuesday morning, Francine’s daughter, Laurie Wenk-Pascal, shared the sad news that her mom had passed away at the age of 92, after a long struggle with cancer.

Straightaway, the sad news spread like waves across social media platforms, with her admirers posting heartfelt homages to the lady whose love for reading ignited many others.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the book series centered around identical twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield was incredibly popular, leaving an indelible mark on countless individuals’ memories of their youth.

As a lifelong fan of this particular franchise, I have been captivated by its rich and expansive world since I was just a kid. With a total of 181 books under its belt, it’s no wonder that the series has spawned numerous spin-offs and even a TV show of the same name that ran from 1994 to 1997. The impact this franchise has had on my life is immeasurable, as I have lost myself in its pages countless times, escaping into a world filled with magic, adventure, and timeless stories. Even now, as an adult, I still find myself drawn back to the series time and again, eagerly awaiting each new addition to the ever-growing universe.

After her passing, I found myself deluged by heartfelt tributes from followers on what used to be known as Twitter, expressing their deep-rooted emotions about how the book series had touched their lives so profoundly.

Some individuals found solace in immersing themselves within the world of Sweet Valley High during challenging times, while others applauded the author for bringing joy and relatability to teenagers across the globe.

One individual expressed gratitude to Francine Pascal for broadening their perspective on a realm where twin sisters could display striking differences, yet remain equally captivating.

Each visit to the bookstore always brought anticipation, as I hoped a fresh installment from my favorite series might have been released.

Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92
Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92
Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92

Another chimed in, “It’s important to take a moment and acknowledge Francine Pascal. Her Sweet Valley series played a massive role in fueling my love for reading during my youth.”

I trailed the twin siblings throughout their college years, creating many cherished moments along the way. A heartfelt thank you, and farewell.

Mourning the loss of Francine Pascal, the mastermind behind Sweet Valley High and its richly populated world of characters. For many people, those books sparked a passion for reading and the captivating genre of soap operas.

‘As a child, I was captivated by the Sweet Valley High series, and the impact these books had on me was nothing short of extraordinary.’

Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92
Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92
Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92
Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92
Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92
Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92
Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92
Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92
Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92
Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92
Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92

1. They held a significant role in my childhood development and exerted subtle yet impactful influences on me. I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Francine Pascal.

In the 1980s, these series, Sweet Valley Twins and The Baby-Sitters Club, held a tight grip over me, as a fifth grader, explained one person.

Farewell to Francine Pascal, the talented creator of the past work. Her life was truly remarkable, and I admire her meticulous approach.

“Once upon a time, I was captivated by the world of Sweet Valley High created by Jessica and Elizabeth. I can only imagine the joy my fellow teens felt, knowing that Francine’s stories brought happiness to countless readers worldwide,” expressed another admirer enthusiastically.

A different user referred to the twins as her ‘admired heroes,’ and mentioned that the Sweet Valley High books were the ‘initial’ books that sparked her romance.

A different individual expressed gratitude to Francine Pascal, saying, “As a girl growing up in California during the 1980s, I devoured every Sweet Valley book. Thanks for fostering a lifelong love of reading in me.”

In the late 80s, my summers were pictured as reading Sweet Valley High books on the beach, according to someone else’s account.

Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92

As a once-nerdy kid who spent countless hours buried in books and solving complex math problems, I found myself enamored with Elizabeth, the brilliant librarian at my school. Her vast knowledge and kindness always left me in awe. However, as I grew older and started to question societal norms, I yearned for the rebellious spirit that Jessica, the edgy girl in my class, embodied. She challenged authority and lived life on her own terms, which resonated deeply with my growing desire for independence. Today, as a reminiscing adult, I can’t help but feel a twinge of sadness when I think about the paths our lives have taken – one steeped in books and academic success, the other in defiance and self-expression.

On Tuesday, Laurie, Francine’s daughter, informed The New York Times that Francine passed away from lymphoma at New York-Presbyterian Hospital this past weekend.

Francine previously described Sweet Valley High as ‘the essence of high school.’

In 1988, she shared with People that there’s a time just before harsh reality sets in, when one truly embraces romantic ideals like sacrifice, love, loyalty, and friendship – ideals that seem almost too good to be true – before the cynicism of adulthood begins to take hold.

She mentioned that she began penning the Sweet Valley High series following television networks’ rejection of her concept for a teenage high school soap opera.

Sweet Valley High stars Brittany and Cynthia Daniel pay tribute to creator Francine Pascal following her death at age 92

She drew inspiration from Dallas, the popular CBS drama centered around a wealthy family and their oil business, as well as her twin relationships, particularly her agent and sister-in-law at the time.

The deceased author initially authored the initial 12 books in the Sweet Valley series. Subsequently, creating an extensive blueprint, they collaborated with a group of authors to maintain a swift release schedule.

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2024-07-31 18:19

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