Virginia Giuffre Memoir Wins Top Prize at British Book Awards

A posthumous memoir by Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most prominent accusers, won the top prize at this year’s British Book Awards.

Nobody’s Girl, co-written with Amy Wallace, was named book of the year during a ceremony in London on Monday evening. The memoir came out six months after Giuffre took her own life and covered her encounters with the late sex offender and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

Giuffre's sister-in-law Amanda Roberts accepted the award. She called the book "a true testament to what a survivor's voice can do when finally given the space to be heard." Roberts added in a video speech, "She inspired millions, not just to be seen, or survivors to be seen, but she called us to action."

Giuffre's brother Sky Roberts said the family was "truly honoured to accept this award on Virginia's behalf." Wallace described working with Giuffre on the book as the "honour of my career."

Nobody’s Girl also detailed Giuffre's allegations about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, which he has always denied. The book's publication last October ramped up pressure on Mountbatten-Windsor and contributed to King Charles III stripping his brother of royal titles and honors.

The memoir also won the non-fiction narrative book of the year prize. Alice O'Keeffe, head of books for The Bookseller and chair of the books of the year judges, said the panel "championed" Giuffre's work. "With this award we recognise the late author's extraordinary courage and determination, supported by Doubleday's sensitive campaign, #BelieveHer," O'Keeffe said.

Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller and chair of the British Book Awards judges, said: "Our winners represent the very best of the book trade, standing up for the books and the authors when others would try to stand them down. The British Book Awards affirms our creatives, our entertainers and our truth-tellers, and we applaud those who did so much to bring their work to the public."

TV presenter Steph McGovern hosted the ceremony at Grosvenor House. It included a special posthumous award for Dame Jilly Cooper, Joanna Trollope and Sophie Kinsella. Cooper, author of best-sellers like Rivals and Riders, died in October at age 88. Kinsella and Trollope died in December.

Emily Henry won the first romantic fiction book of the year for Great Big Beautiful Life. Jamie Smart took the first graphic novel prize for Bunny vs Monkey.

Children's winners included AF Steadman for author of the year with the Skandar series, Dav Pilkey for best illustrator with Dog Man, and Suzanne Collins for children's fiction with Sunrise on the Reaping, a Hunger Games prequel. Michael Rosen won children's non-fiction illustrated for Oh Dear, Look What I Got! with Helen Oxenbury.

Florence Knapp's The Names, on repercussions of domestic abuse, won debut fiction. Marcia Hutchinson's The Mercy Step, about a girl in 1960s Bradford's Windrush generation, took discover book of the year. Sarah Wynn-Williams won audiobook non-fiction for Careless People, her account of working as Facebook's public policy director. The social network blocked her from promoting it after its March release.

Wynn-Williams and Giuffre shared the freedom to publish award. Jones said "both stories, told by silenced voices, represented the best in the book trade."

The British Book Awards honor top 2025 releases and are known as the Nibbies for their golden nib-shaped trophies.