“All My Children” star Esta TerBlanche has passed away at the age of 51.
The actress died unexpectedly at her home in North Hollywood, California.
Her goddaughter, Barbie Ashley, confirmed the sad news to TMZ on Sunday, revealing that medical professionals suspect she had been deceased for about a day before being found.
TerBlanche’s publicist, Lisa Rodrigo, also shared the news of her client’s passing on Facebook, stating that Esta passed away on Thursday due to natural causes.
Rodrigo expressed her shock and sadness, highlighting TerBlanche’s beautiful soul and their professional relationship.
An autopsy report is pending, and more details will be provided in the coming days.
Who is Esta Terblanche?
Born on January 7, 1973, TerBlanche hailed from the North West province of South Africa.
She starred in the popular drama Egoli: Place of Gold, where she played the role of Bienkie Naudé Hartman from 1992-95.
Esta TerBlanche, known for her role as Gillian Andrassy Lavery in “All My Children” from 1997 to 2001, acted alongside Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos.
She began her acting career in the US after winning Miss Teen South Africa in 1991, later moving back to South Africa in 2001 after her character was written off the soap opera.
Esta Terblanche is also a beauty queen having spent about 23 years in America entertainment industry.
She has featured for several TV shows both in South Africa and America.
After spending 23 years in America entertainment industry, TerBlanche revealed that she will retire to return back to South Africa.
She planned to open her own spa, explore her interest in documentaries with South Africa filmmaker Michael Kastenbaum before her sudden death.
Beyond her acting career, TerBlanche was deeply involved with the South Africa cancer foundation Create Your Breakthrough.
She was passionate about the cause, having lost her mother to cancer and with her father also battling the disease.
It’s about helping people with cancer get the treatments they need and help fight this really awful disease,” she said in an interview.
The actress got married to Andre de Kock at a young age before she divorced her ex-husband for 2008.
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