The world of daytime television mourns the loss of Esta TerBlanche, best known for her role as Gillian Andrassy on the long-running soap opera "All My Children." TerBlanche, who captivated audiences in the late '90s and early 2000s, passed away on July 18 at the age of 51. Her death was confirmed by her representative, Lisa Rodrigo, who shared the news on social media, stating, "It's with a heavy heart that my friend and client Esta TerBlanche passed away Thursday of natural causes."
The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner confirmed her death, noting that an autopsy report is pending. Authorities responded to her Los Angeles home on July 19 and found no signs of foul play. The coroner is currently investigating the case to determine the exact cause of death.
TerBlanche was born on January 7, 1973, in Rustenburg, South Africa. She gained early fame in her homeland by winning the Miss Teen South Africa pageant in 1991. Her acting career began on the South African bilingual soap opera "Egoli: Place of Gold," where she played Beatrice "Bienkie" Naudé Hartman from 1992 to 1995. She also hosted the popular children's program K-T.V.
In 1997, TerBlanche made her debut on "All My Children" as the Hungarian princess Gillian Andrassy. Her portrayal of the complex and troubled character earned her a dedicated fanbase. She remained with the show until 2001, when her character was dramatically killed off. However, TerBlanche returned for the series finale in 2011, reprising her role as a ghost in a touching reunion with her on-screen husband, Ryan Lavery, played by Cameron Mathison.
Repost from @vincentirizarry
•
I'm absolutely shocked and saddened to have learned of the sudden passing of dear Esta Terblanche. She was truly a kind, sweet soul, whom I will be forever grateful to have had the pleasure of knowing and working with during our years together on… pic.twitter.com/4q1G64w3YA — TeamVincentIrizarry (@TeamIrizarry) July 21, 2024
Reflecting on her return to "All My Children," TerBlanche told Soap Opera Digest in a recent interview, "When I came back, it was really emotional for me and Cameron. When we saw each other, we both started bawling. Back then, we hadn't seen each other for years, so it was such a touching moment for us."
After leaving the acting world in 2013, TerBlanche continued to split her time between South Africa and California. She ventured into new avenues, including opening a spa and working on documentaries with filmmaker Michael Kastenbaum. Despite stepping away from the spotlight, TerBlanche remained connected with her former co-stars, including Mathison, who paid tribute to her on social media following her death. Sharing a photo from their on-screen wedding, Mathison wrote, "RIP my sweet princess," adding a red heart emoji.
Mathison also reminisced about TerBlanche's kindness and support during difficult times, particularly when his dog Red was battling cancer. "Esta helped me last year when Red was sick and paralyzed and I was struggling. One of the sweetest people ever," he shared alongside a selfie with the late actress.
TerBlanche's talent manager, Annie Spolianky, described her as a "wonderful, kind, and loving person." Her sudden passing has left a void in the hearts of her fans and colleagues alike. The actress was known not only for her beauty and talent but also for her compassionate nature and love for animals.
As tributes continue to pour in, fans and friends remember TerBlanche for the joy she brought to their lives through her performances and her warm-hearted personality. The soap opera community, in particular, feels the loss deeply, as she was a beloved figure in the genre.
In a statement, Rodrigo expressed her shock and sadness, saying, "I am still processing and in shock. Esta was a beautiful soul in and out. I was proud to know her and work with her." She added that more information would be shared in the coming days and thanked everyone for their kind messages.
