DAME ESTHER RANTZEN’S FAMILY SHARES EMOTIONAL FINAL MESSAGE AFTER HER DEATH AT 86

Dame Esther Rantzen’s family has shared a deeply personal tribute following the death of the beloved British broadcaster, charity founder and campaigner at the age of 86.

In a statement released after her death, her children described Esther as “our sunshine” and remembered her as a mother and grandmother whose compassion, humour and extraordinary ability to comfort others shaped generations of people.

“Our adored mother Dame Esther Rantzen died today,” the family said.

They said her legacy would continue through the charities she founded, Childline and The Silver Line, as well as through the people who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.

The family said they were grateful that Esther was finally at rest with her beloved husband, Desmond Wilcox, but added that they would “miss her immeasurably.”

“She was our sunshine,” they said, remembering her “endless capacity for joy,” her ability to comfort people through difficult moments and her “beautiful way with words.”

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

Her family said they had been fortunate to have shared so many years with her, while acknowledging that no amount of time would ever have felt long enough.

A LIFE DEVOTED TO HELPING OTHERS

The family also highlighted Esther’s lifelong commitment to charitable work and campaigning, particularly on behalf of children, older people and people living with terminal illness.

They thanked everyone who had written to Esther, shared their stories with her or worked alongside her throughout her remarkable career.

They also paid tribute to the humour, ingenuity and courage she brought to her work, saying they hoped those qualities would continue to inspire others.

The family asked for privacy as they grieve her loss.

ESTHER LEFT A FINAL MESSAGE

Her children also revealed a personal message Esther had prepared before her death.

In the message, she apologised for being unable to personally thank everyone who had supported her throughout her life.

She wrote that she had been “immensely lucky” to have experienced friendship and professional guidance that had helped her live such a long and happy life.

Esther also suggested that anyone wishing to honour her memory could consider donating to charities that had been important to her.

She specifically mentioned Dignitas in Switzerland, which she said was facing serious challenges, as well as Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington, where she had received care.

She also acknowledged Cats Protection, after a request from someone named Cathy.

Her final words carried a quiet sense of farewell.

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

She then thanked those who had been part of her life and signed off with the hope that she might see them again “on the other side.”

“With very good wishes, as ever, Esther.”

A REMARKABLE LEGACY

Esther Rantzen became one of Britain’s best-known broadcasters through the BBC programme That’s Life!, which she presented from 1973 to 1994.

But her influence extended far beyond television.

In 1986, she founded Childline, creating a confidential service where children could seek help and talk about problems they were experiencing.

Decades later, she established The Silver Line, a helpline dedicated to supporting older people experiencing loneliness.

She also became a prominent campaigner for changes to the law surrounding assisted dying after being diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer in 2023.

Despite her own illness, Esther continued to speak publicly about issues affecting people who were terminally ill and about the importance of giving people greater choice at the end of life.

Her death marks the end of a career that combined television, journalism, campaigning and charitable work — but her family says the values behind that work will continue through the organisations she created and the people she inspired.

For her children and five grandchildren, however, her greatest legacy is more personal.

She was their mother, grandmother and, in their words, their sunshine.

Dame Esther Rantzen was 86.