All My Children’ Actress Esta TerBlanche Dies at 51
Esta TerBlanche, a famous South African actress known for her role as Gillian Andrassy Lavery on “All My Children,” died on Thursday at the age of 51. Her publicist and manager confirmed her death, shocking her fans and colleagues.
TerBlanche passed away from natural causes at her home in Los Angeles, according to her publicist Lisa Rodrigo, who shared the news on Facebook.
“It’s with a heavy heart that my friend and client Esta TerBlanche passed away Thursday. An autopsy report is pending,” Rodrigo wrote. Her manager, Annie Spoliansky, described her as a “wonderful, kind, and loving person.”
Born on January 7, 1973, in Rustenburg, South Africa, TerBlanche started her journey to fame early. In 1991, she won the title of Miss Teen South Africa, which brought her into the spotlight.
She first became famous in South Africa for her role in the soap opera Egoli: Place of Gold, where she played Beatrice Bienkie Naudé Hartman from 1992 to 1995.
At 23, she moved to the United States to pursue her acting career. She remembered arriving in Los Angeles with just two suitcases and a lot of uncertainty. This bold move led to her being cast as Gillian Andrassy, a Hungarian princess, on All My Children in 1997.
Gillian Andrassy’s story on “All My Children” was full of drama and romance, especially her relationship with Ryan Lavery, played by Cameron Mathison. Their love story was a favorite among fans.
Her character died in 2001 after being shot by an assassin and removed from life support by Lavery. Her performance was so beloved that she returned for a special episode in 2011 as Gillian’s ghost.
Cameron Mathison paid tribute to TerBlanche on Instagram, sharing fond memories and calling her “one of the sweetest people ever.” Her performance left a lasting impression on viewers and the soap opera community.
She was known for her kind and generous nature. She loved animals deeply and took care of squirrels, cats, and kittens like they were her own children.
Spoliansky noted her compassion, saying, “Esta cared so deeply for all people and animals.”
After her character died on “All My Children,” TerBlanche went back to South Africa, where she opened a spa and worked on documentaries with filmmaker Michael Kastenbaum. Despite her success in Hollywood, she stayed connected to her roots, spending time in both South Africa and California.
Her sudden death has left many people heartbroken. As the entertainment world mourns her loss, they also celebrate her amazing career and the kindness she showed to everyone.