90s TV soap star Esta TerBlanche found dead at home aged 51

A former star of a popular long-running US soap opera has been found dead at home, a day after she’s suspected to have died.

Esta TerBlanche, a former star of popular US soap All My Children, has died at the age of 51.

The actress passed away unexpectedly at her North Hollywood, California, home, her goddaughter, Barbie Ashley, confirmed to TMZ today.

Per the outlet, medical professionals suspect she had been dead for about a day before her body was recovered.

TerBlanche’s publicist, Lisa Rodrigo, also announced her client’s death on Facebook, revealing she died on Thursday.

Terblanche was a popular 90s US soap star. Picture: Alamy

With All My Children co-star Cameron Mathison circa 1999. Picture: Alamy

“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,” she wrote.

Rodrigo continued, “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.”

Reps for the former pageant queen weren’t immediately available to Page Six for comment.

TerBlanche played the role of Gillian Andrassy Lavery in All My Children from 1997 to 2001 alongside Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos.

TerBlanche during her character’s TV wedding to Ryan (Cameron Mathison). Picture: Alamy

She moved to the US from South Africa to advance in her acting career, though she ultimately moved back to her home country in 2001 after she was killed off the soap opera.

ABC, Ripa and Consuelos didn’t immediately comment on TerBlanche’s sudden death.

TerBlanche’s life in the limelight kicked off in 1991 when she was crowned the winner of Miss Teen South Africa.

From there, she hit the big screen, starring in the South Africa-based drama Egoli: Place of Gold before she moved abroad.

TerBlanche was previously married to André Kock from 1997 to 2008.

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as 90s TV soap star Esta TerBlanche found dead at home aged 51