Dame Esther Rantzen beamed alongside her daughter Rebecca in her final family photos, taken as the TV legend celebrated her 85th birthday surrounded by her loved ones.
Final birthday celebrations
The much-loved broadcaster looked full of joy as she posed with her daughter, both wearing sunglasses for the sunny birthday celebrations. Esther, who founded Childline and presented That's Life!, wore a butter-yellow dress and blazer as she smiled for the camera.
In another sweet snap, Rebecca could be seen holding a huge meringue decorated with fruit as the family came together to mark the special occasion. The poignant images have emerged after Esther's children Miriam, Rebecca and Joshua Wilcox announced the death of their “adored mother”.
Family statement
In a joint statement, they said: "Our adored mother, Dame Esther Rantzen, died today. Her legacy of compassion and understanding will live on in her charities Childline and the Silverline, and through those of us who were lucky enough to love and be loved by her.
"We are grateful she is finally at rest with her beloved husband, Desmond Wilcox, but we will miss her immeasurably. She was our sunshine. We will always remember her endless capacity for joy, her ability to comfort every heartache, her beautiful way with words and her expert guidance in all things.
"She was the most wonderful mother to us three children and a cherished grandmother to her five treasured grandchildren. We have been so lucky for so long, no matter how much time we had with Mum it could be never be enough, but we are so grateful for our lives together."
Legacy and final message
The family also paid tribute to Esther's decades of campaigning, adding: "Mum's work with charities and campaigning, particularly for children, older people, and the terminally ill, meant the world to her so thank you to everyone who has written to her, shared their stories with her over the years and worked alongside her.
"We hope the humour, ingenuity and audacity she brought to her work may continue to inspire you as it will do us. We kindly ask that we are given privacy and time to grieve."
Esther had prepared her own final message before her death, thanking friends and supporters for the “fun”, “support” and “help” they had given her. She wrote: "Sadly, all good things come to an end, as they say. So I particularly wanted to say goodbye and thank you so very, very much. Perhaps I will see you eventually, on the other side. I do hope so. With very good wishes, as ever, Esther."
The broadcaster had also spoken openly about her terminal cancer diagnosis and her decision to join Dignitas in Switzerland. She said she was undergoing a "miracle" treatment but had discussed her intention to "buzz off to Zurich" if it failed. Esther also criticised the “messy and cruel” law in England and Wales surrounding assisted dying.
Her legacy, however, stretches far beyond her final years, with Childline and The Silver Line remaining lasting reminders of her work helping others.
