L.J. Smith, author of "The Vampire Diaries" series, died at 66 after a decade-long battle with an illness.

L.J. Smith, the author of the "The Vampire Diaries" series, has passed away at 66 after battling a rare autoimmune disease for a decade. Her works, which include over 25 published books, inspired a hit TV show and sold over 5 million copies. Smith, a New York Times bestselling author, reclaimed her work in 2014 by writing fan fiction after being fired by her publisher. She is survived by her partner and family.