Esta TerBlanche Obituary

Esta TerBlanche (7 January 1973 – 19 July 2024) was a celebrated South African actress, best known for her captivating performances in television soap operas both in South Africa and the United States. Her legacy in the entertainment industry is marked by her versatile acting skills and her enduring popularity with audiences worldwide.

Early Life

TerBlanche was born in Rustenburg, Transvaal (now North West Province), and was of Huguenot descent. She spent her formative years on a game farm surrounded by diverse wildlife, including monkeys, cows, horses, sheep, warthogs, and elands. This unique upbringing instilled in her a love for nature and adventure.

Television Career

Her rise to fame began in 1991 when she was crowned Miss Teen South Africa. This accolade opened doors for her in the entertainment industry, and she soon landed the role of Bienkie Naudé Hartman on the South African drama “Egoli: Place of Gold,” which she played from 1992 to 1995. Despite her success on the show, TerBlanche decided not to renew her contract, opting instead to pursue acting opportunities in the United States.

Her move to Los Angeles proved fruitful. Within three weeks, she secured her first job in a hair products commercial. In 1997, she was cast as Gillian Andrassy, a troublemaking princess, on the American daytime drama “All My Children.” Her portrayal of Gillian quickly won the hearts of viewers. However, in 2001, TerBlanche requested to be written out of the show to return to South Africa.

After returning to South Africa, TerBlanche made a guest appearance on “Egoli: Place of Gold” in 2004 and continued to appear in various South African TV shows and films. She later moved back to the United States and, in a 2010 interview with Soap Opera Digest, revealed that she had divorced and taken a break from acting. During this time, she opened a spa, reflecting her interest in the medical field and healing.

Despite her hiatus, TerBlanche never lost her passion for acting. She began performing again and even filmed a pilot in South Africa. She expressed a strong desire to return to “All My Children” or another soap opera, citing her time on “All My Children” as the best of her life. In 2011, she made a guest appearance on “All My Children” during its final weeks on American network television.

Theatrical and Other Endeavors

In addition to her work on television, TerBlanche had a notable presence in theatre. She appeared in several plays, including “The Glass Menagerie,” “Pygmalion,” “Hear Ye,” and “Ten Times Worse on Friday.” She also starred in the film “Three Thieves and a Wedding.” As a television presenter in South Africa, she hosted the environmental program “50/50” and the children’s show “K-T.V.” Her popularity in South Africa was underscored by her frequent appearances on magazine covers.

Esta TerBlanche’s death on 19 July 2024, in Los Angeles, at the age of 51, marked the end of a vibrant and impactful career. Her publicist, Lisa Rodrigo, confirmed her passing, with the cause of death pending an autopsy report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.