Dame Esther Rantzen's daughter, Rebecca Wilcox, has provided a heartfelt update on her mother's health, stating that the family is 'cherishing every moment' they have with her. Dame Esther, 85, was diagnosed with terminal stage four lung and breast cancer in January 2023 and has been a prominent advocate for assisted dying legislation.
Daughter's Emotional Statement
Appearing on Channel 5's Vanessa on Monday, June 8, 2026, Rebecca opened up about her mother's condition as she approaches her 86th birthday. She expressed surprise that Dame Esther is 'still here' and shared the family's gratitude for the time they have together. 'She was diagnosed three years ago with terminal stage four lung and breast cancer, so every day is a wonderful miracle, and we really are cherishing it,' Rebecca said.
Quality of Life and Passions
When asked about Dame Esther's quality of life, Rebecca highlighted her mother's love for gardening. 'Her garden is her passion. It is gorgeous. She's an early adopter of rewilding. Monty Don has nothing on her. They built this garden from nothing. It was a dilapidated farm. I got married there,' she explained. Rebecca also joked about her mother's fondness for nudity, saying it occurs most weekends and that 'nudity is her happy place.'
Continued Advocacy for Assisted Dying
In April, Dame Esther made a plea ahead of the debate on the Assisted Dying Bill, which aims to 'shorten our death' for those suffering from terminal illnesses. However, both supporters and opponents acknowledge that the legislation will not become law in the current session of Parliament after stalling in the House of Lords. During a pre-recorded appearance on ITV's Good Morning Britain, the veteran broadcaster stated, 'I will obviously keep battling, not on my own behalf but on behalf of all future generations that deserve a proper, compassionate, humanitarian bill. Doctors used to ease people out of life; that's what we need, we need the opportunity to ask for assistance. Not to shorten our lives but to shorten our deaths.'
