Esteemed actress Esta TerBlanche, renowned for her captivating role as Gillian on All My Children, has passed away at the age of 51, as confirmed by Us Weekly.
TerBlanche’s manager, Annie Spoliansky, paid tribute to the late actress, describing her as “a kind, loving, giving, and caring person” who was “never anything but generous and lovely.” Spoliansky fondly recalled TerBlanche’s compassion for all living beings, including her beloved pets and the squirrels she fed daily.
TerBlanche’s goddaughter, Barbie Ashley, broke the news of the actress’s sudden passing on Sunday, July 21, revealing that she had died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 18. According to authorities, TerBlanche’s body was discovered in her Hollywood home a day after her passing.
TerBlanche’s rep, Lisa Rodrigo, confirmed the news via social media, expressing her shock and sadness at the actress’s passing. “I can not believe I am posting this. It’s with a heavy heart that my friend and client Esta TerBlanche passed away Thursday of natural causes,” she wrote. “An autopsy report is pending.”
TerBlanche’s soap opera career spanned from 1997 to 2001, during which she brought her character Gillian to life. After her character’s demise, she returned to the show for a special episode in 2011, reprising her role as Gillian’s ghost.
Daniel Cosgrove, TC Warner, Cameron Mathison, and Esta Terblanche Steven Bergman / AFF-USA.COM
In a recent interview with Soap Opera Digest, TerBlanche shared her emotional reunion with co-star Cameron Mathison when she returned to the show for a special episode. “When I came back, it was really emotional for me and Cameron. When we saw each other, we both started bawling,” she recalled.
Mathison paid tribute to his former co-star on social media, sharing a touching selfie of the two and revealing that they remained close over the years. “RIP my sweet princess,” he wrote, accompanied by a broken heart emoji. “Esta helped me last year when [my dog] Red was sick and paralyzed, and I was struggling.”
Since leaving All My Children, TerBlanche pursued other ventures, including opening her own spa and working on documentaries in South Africa with filmmaker Michael Kastenbaum. She also hosted TV shows such as Supermodel and Carte Blanche.
TerBlanche, who split her time between South Africa and the U.S., expressed her desire to return to acting. “It’s definitely something I would like to get back into,” she said, reflecting on her passion for storytelling and her love for animals.
As fans and colleagues mourn the loss of this talented actress, we remember her for her captivating performances, her kind heart, and her infectious enthusiasm for life.