Esta TerBlanche, a prominent South African actress known for her role in the beloved soap opera "All My Children," has died unexpectedly.
According to the New York Post, TerBlanch was found deceased in her North Hollywood home, sparking an ongoing investigation into the cause of her death.
Esta TerBlanche first gained public attention when she won Miss Teen South Africa in 1991. Her acting career began shortly thereafter, and she played in South Africa's inaugural soap opera, "Egoli: Place of Gold," from 1992 until 1995.
In 1997, Esta secured a role that would endear her to American audiences as Gillian Andrassy on "All My Children."
She remained a central figure on the show until her character was written off in 2001.
Esta made a memorable return to "All My Children" in 2011, even as the show concluded its run in 2013. Post-"All My Children," Esta took a break from acting, moving back to South Africa, before recently expressing a desire to return to Hollywood.
Her goddaughter, Barbie Ashley, confirmed her passing, which has left her family, friends, and fans in shock. Esta's death is under rigorous review, according to her representative, Lisa Rodrigo.
Apart from acting, Esta TerBlanche dedicated herself to efforts against cancer through her work with the South Africa Cancer Foundation, Create Your Breakthrough. This cause was personal for Esta, who experienced the impact of cancer within her own family.
It’s about helping people with cancer get the treatments they need and help fight this really awful disease. I lost my mom to cancer and my dad also has cancer, so I just feel passionate about this.
Esta’s philanthropic spirit and devotion to causes close to her heart marked a life characterized as much by giving as by her entertainment career. Her former married life with André Kock spanned from 1997 until their divorce in 2008, marking another chapter of her eventful life.
In one of her final interviews, Esta spoke nostalgically about her connections forged through "All My Children," particularly with co-star Cameron Mathison. She recently had the joy of babysitting his dog, which turned into a multi-day affair.
Esta TerBlanche, a well-known South African actress, has died unexpectedly in her North Hollywood home, leading to an investigation into her death.
TerBlanche gained fame with her role in "All My Children" and was also recognized for her philanthropic work against cancer, influenced by her personal family experiences. Her passing has shocked her family, friends, and fans, with her representative confirming an ongoing review of her death.
