‘All My Children’ Star Esta TerBlanche passed away aged 51
The entertainment industry mourns the loss of talented actress Esta Terblanche, who passed away at 51. Best known for her role as Gillian Andrassy on the popular soap opera "All My Children," she captivated audiences with her exceptional acting and charisma.
Her untimely death has shocked fans and colleagues alike, as she was a beloved figure in television. Terblanche's dedication and ability to convey depth and emotion made her a standout performer in a highly competitive industry.
Born on January 7, 1973, TerBlanche hailed from the North West province of South Africa. After was crowned Miss Teen South Africa in 1991, then starred on the popular drama Egoli: Place of Gold, where she played the role of Bienkie Naudé Hartman from 1992-95.
TerBlanche starred on All My Children from 1997 to 2001, portraying Gillian. After her character was shot in the series, her on-screen husband Ryan Lavery (Cameron Mathison) removed her from life support. She later returned to the show for one episode in 2011, playing Gillian’s ghost.
She began her career at 16 years old as the host of a television show for children called “K-T.V.” and a math show called “Math No Problem,” she said in an interview in April on the podcast “Conversations With Nicole.” In 1991, she was crowned Miss Teen South Africa.
In a 2021 interview with Soap Central, TerBlanche — who was born in South Africa's Rustenburg — reflected on the "very scary" experience of moving to the United States to pursue an acting career in America.
"I was terribly scared, and the two weeks before I had to go, I was crying nonstop, thinking, 'Why am I doing this?!' " she said. "I was really questioning myself, like, 'Why am I putting myself through this? Why?!' But I just knew I had a deeper calling, that I had to come."
After Gillian’s death on the show in 2001, TerBlanche returned to South Africa. She opened a spa and worked on multiple documentaries with filmmaker Michael Kastenbaum. She also hosted several TV shows.
At the time of TerBlanche’s death, she was splitting her time between South Africa and California.
She is survived by her ex-husband; and goddaughter, Barbie Ashley.
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