Esta TerBlanche, known for her role on the soap opera All My Children, has died. Her publicist Lisa Rodrigo shared this news on Facebook.
Esta TerBlanche, known for her role on the soap opera All My Children, passed away on Thursday at her home in North Hollywood at the age of 51. Authorities believe she had been deceased for approximately a day, but the cause of death has not yet been determined.
TerBlanche portrayed the character Princess Gillian Andrassy Lavery on the ABC series from 1997 to 2001.
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Her career began after she was crowned Miss Teen South Africa in 1991, which led her into acting.
The news was shared by her publicist, Lisa Rodrigo, on Facebook.
“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. An autopsy report is pending. 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. More to come in the days ahead. Thank you for the messages so far. If I haven’t gotten to you, I will soon,” Lisa wrote.
“May she RIP with the angels that she is.”
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About Esta TerBlanche
Born on January 7, 1973, in the North West province of South Africa, TerBlanche’s early success included being named Miss Teen South Africa in 1991. She then starred in the popular South African drama Egoli: Place of Gold, playing Bienkie Naudé Hartman from 1992 to 1995.
After leaving Egoli, TerBlanche moved to the United States to further her acting career, securing her notable role on All My Children two years later.
On All My Children, she played Gillian, a determined Hungarian princess and cousin to Dimitri Marick. Her character became romantically involved with Ryan Lavery, played by Cameron Mathison, and they eventually married on the show.
Following her character’s on-screen death in 2001, TerBlanche returned to South Africa. She opened a spa, collaborated on several documentaries with filmmaker Michael Kastenbaum, and hosted various TV programs.
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At the time of her death, Esta TerBlanche divided her time between South Africa and California.
She is survived by her ex-husband and her goddaughter, Barbie Ashley.