'All My Children' Actress Esta TerBlanche Dead At 51

Former ' All My Children ' actress Esta TerBlanche has died at the age of 51, her goddaughter, Barbie Ashley , confirmed to TMZ on Sunday (July 21).

TerBlanche, a native of South Africa best known for her role as Gillian Andrassy on the ABC soap opera , is suspected to have died at her North Hollywood, California, home about a day before her body was recovered, medical professionals confirmed. Lisa Rodrigo , the actress' publicist, confirmed that her client died on Thursday (July 18) in a post shared on her Facebook account.

"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," Rodrigo wrote. "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.

"May she RIP with the angels that she is."

I can not believe I am posting this. It’s with a heavy heart that my friend and client Esta TerBlanche passed away...

Posted by All My Promotions on Saturday, July 20, 2024

TerBlanche won Miss Teen South Africa in 1991 before appearing in the soap opera Egoli: Place of Gold in her native country from 1992 to 1995. The actress moved to the U.S. in the late 1990s and landed her role as Gillian on All My Children in 1997, appearing in 109 episodes from 1997 to 2001 and an additional appearance in 2011.