DAME ESTHER RANTZEN DIES AT 86 AS HER FINAL MESSAGE IS REVEALED: “PERHAPS I WILL SEE YOU EVENTUALLY, ON THE OTHER SIDE”

Dame Esther Rantzen, the much-loved broadcaster, journalist and charity campaigner who transformed British television and founded Childline, has died at the age of 86.

Her death was announced by her three children, Miriam Wilcox, Rebecca Wilcox and Joshua Wilcox, in an emotional statement released on Wednesday evening.

The family said their “adored mother” had died that day and that her legacy of compassion and understanding would continue through the charities she founded, Childline and The Silver Line.

They said they were grateful that Esther was “finally at rest” with her beloved husband, Desmond Wilcox, who died in 2000.

But they added that they would “miss her immeasurably”.

“She was our sunshine,” they said, remembering her “endless capacity for joy”, her ability to comfort others, her way with words and the guidance she gave throughout their lives.

The family described her as “the most wonderful mother” to her three children and a cherished grandmother to five grandchildren.

HER FAMILY’S HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTE

In their statement, Esther’s children reflected on how fortunate they felt to have had their mother for so long.

They said that no matter how much time they had with her, it could never have been enough.

They also paid tribute to the importance of her charity work and campaigning, particularly her efforts on behalf of children, older people and people facing terminal illness.

The family thanked those who had written to Esther, shared their stories with her and worked alongside her throughout her long career.

They said they hoped the humour, ingenuity and audacity she brought to her work would continue to inspire others.

They also asked for privacy as they begin to grieve.

ESTHER LEFT ONE FINAL MESSAGE

After her death, her children also released a deeply personal message Esther had written before she died.

In it, she thanked the people who had supported her throughout her life and career.

She apologised that she could not personally thank everyone and said she had been “immensely lucky” to have experienced friendship and professional advice that had helped her live a long and happy life.

She then suggested that anyone wishing to remember her through a charitable donation could support causes that had been important to her.

She specifically mentioned Dignitas in Switzerland, Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington and Cats Protection.

Esther ended the message with a final farewell:

“Sadly, all good things come to an end, as they say.”

She continued:

“So I particularly wanted to say goodbye and thank you so very, very much.”

Her final words carried a particularly poignant note:

“Perhaps I will see you eventually, on the other side. I do hope so.”

The message was released publicly only after her death.

A THREE-DECADE BATTLE WITH TELEVISION, SOCIAL ISSUES AND INJUSTICE

Esther Rantzen became one of the most recognisable figures in British broadcasting.

She began her BBC career in the 1960s, initially working behind the scenes before moving into television.

In 1973, she became the main presenter of That’s Life!, the BBC consumer affairs and human-interest programme that would remain on television for 21 years.

At its peak, the programme attracted audiences of more than 20 million viewers.

It combined humour, consumer investigations and serious social issues, often moving rapidly between light-hearted stories and reports about subjects that were rarely discussed openly at the time.

But her influence went far beyond television.

THE CREATION OF CHILDLINE

One of Esther’s most important legacies began with a 1986 television programme about child abuse.

The response to the programme was overwhelming.

Children contacted the programme seeking help, revealing the scale of a problem that was often hidden from public view.

The experience helped inspire Esther to create Childline, which launched in 1986 as a confidential service where children could speak to someone about problems they were facing.

The charity became one of Britain’s best-known sources of support for children and young people.

Its creation remains one of the defining achievements of Esther’s career.

THE SILVER LINE AND HER WORK WITH OLDER PEOPLE

Esther later turned her attention to another issue close to her heart: loneliness among older people.

She founded The Silver Line, a confidential helpline offering friendship and support to older people experiencing loneliness and isolation.

The organisation became another major part of her public legacy.

Her work with children and older people was recognised with numerous honours.

She received an OBE, later a CBE, and was made a Dame in 2015 for services to children and older people through her charity work.

HER FINAL YEARS AND CANCER DIAGNOSIS

In 2023, Esther revealed that she had been diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer.

She subsequently became an outspoken campaigner for changes to the law surrounding assisted dying in the UK.

She had joined Dignitas in Switzerland and had previously discussed her wish to have greater control over the end of her life.

However, in September 2026, she revealed that she had become too physically fragile to make the journey to Switzerland.

She explained that when she had initially been physically strong enough to travel, her condition had not yet become unbearable. By the time her illness had deteriorated further, she was no longer physically able to make the journey.

She continued to speak publicly about terminal illness and end-of-life choices until the final period of her life.

A LEGACY THAT WILL LIVE ON

Following news of her death, tributes came from broadcasters, campaigners, charities and public figures.

Her career crossed several generations of British television viewers, but her influence was not limited to broadcasting.

Through Childline, The Silver Line and her campaigning work, Esther repeatedly used her public platform to draw attention to people who might otherwise struggle to be heard.

The organisations she founded continue after her death.

Her family said this was the legacy they hoped would remain.

They remembered not only the public figure who changed television, but the woman they knew as a mother and grandmother.

“She was our sunshine,” they said.

Esther Rantzen is survived by her three children and five grandchildren.

She was 86.