Dame Esther Rantzen, Broadcaster and Charity Founder, Dies at 86
The veteran broadcaster, known for 'That's Life!' and founding Childline, passed away after a battle with lung cancer.
Dame Esther Rantzen, a prominent broadcaster and founder of the Childline helpline, has died at the age of 86. Her children confirmed her passing in a statement, expressing their gratitude for her rest with her late husband, Desmond Wilcox, and stating they would miss her immensely.
"We hope the humour, ingenuity and audacity she brought to her work may continue to inspire you as it will do us," her children said.
Dame Esther was widely recognized for her work presenting the BBC program "That's Life!". In addition to her broadcasting career, she was a dedicated charity campaigner. She established two helpline services, for which she was appointed a Dame Commander.
In January 2023, Dame Esther was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. In the subsequent period, she became an outspoken advocate for assisted dying.