This TerBlanche teased a return to soap operas just weeks before the All My Children alum ‘unexpectedly’ died at age 51

ALL My Children alum Esta TerBlanche hinted she wanted to return to soaps shortly before her sudden death.

The actress died this Thursday, aged 51.

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Her family said Esta died unexpectedly at her home in North Hollywood, TMZ reported.

Medical staff believe she was dead the day before her body was found.

Her death is under investigation.

This had provoked in an interview with Soap opera summary weeks before she planned to return to acting on daytime TV.

“It’s definitely something I’d like to get back to,” Esta – who split her time living in South Africa and the United States – told the outlet.

She played troubled Hungarian princess Gillian Andrassy on All My Children until her character was killed off in 2001.

A decade later, she appeared as Gillian’s ghost during the soap’s final weeks on air.

In April 2011, ABC announced that it had canceled the long-running show after 41 years.

“When I came back, it was very emotional for me and Cameron [Mathison]. When we saw each other, we both started crying,” Esta said of her co-star who played her on-screen love, Ryan Lavery.

“At that time, we hadn’t seen each other for years, so it was a very moving moment for us.”

This kicked off the decision to kill off Gillian on the show after she revealed she wanted to return to her home country of South Africa.

But more than 20 years later, Esta was ready to return to the soap world and hoped to do so with Cameron, 54, by her side.

All my children shared their respects to the former star on social media following his death.

They posted an old photo of her and Cameron on set and a sweet message that read, “Rest in peace, Esta TerBlanche. Thank you for entertaining us with your beautiful and captivating performance. We will miss you, princess.”

Fans expressed their sadness over Esta’s death in the comments.

“Oh no! This is sad news. My condolences go out to Esta’s family, friends and colleagues. I remember her role on All My Children as Gillian Andrassy. Rest in heavenly peace,” one person wrote.

“She and Cameron Mathison were amazing together, he’s never had chemistry with anyone like her since,” said another.

“This is just terrible. My heart breaks for her friends and family and anyone who knew or liked her. She was just amazing!” a third added.

“What, no! I loved her as Gillian!!” a fourth shouted.

She was also known for her starring role in the popular South African drama, Egoli: Place of Gold, and for winning Miss Teen South Africa.

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