All My Children actress Esta TerBlanche has died aged 51.
The South African actress was best known for playing Gillian Andrassy on the American daytime drama from 1997 until 2001.
Her death was confirmed on Sunday by her manager.
In a statement, Annie Spoliansky said they were ‘deeply saddened by the news’.
‘As for a personal statement, I’d like to say that Esta was such a kind, loving, giving, and caring person,’ she told People.
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‘She cared so deeply for all people and animals.
‘She had squirrels she fed and looked after daily, her two cats and recent kittens that she cared for as her own children.
She added: ‘Esta was never anything but generous and lovely to me, and I’m grateful to have known her for the time that I did, and devastated to learn of her passing.
TerBlanche’s publicist, Lisa Rodrigo, also said she was ‘heartbroken’ upon learning about the actresses death.
‘She was and always will be a beautiful soul who I will miss every day. I am proud to have known her and call her not only a client but a friend.’
The cause of her death is unknown, however Deadline has reported authorities believes TerBlanche had been dead for about a day when her body was found.
TerBlanche’s best known screen role was playing Hungarian princess Gillian, whose love interest and eventual husband on the show was Ryan Lavery, played by Cameron Mathison.
In a tribute posted online, the actor wrote: ‘RIP my Sweet Princess.’
He added she was ‘one of the sweetest people ever.’
Gillian, a troublemaking princess, was killed off in 2001 after TerBlanche asked to be written out of the show to move back to South Africa.
TerBlanche was crowned Miss Teen South Africa in 1991 before launching her acting career.
Her first role was in South African drama Egoli: Place of Gold, in which she played the role of Bienke Naude Hartman from 1992 until 1995.
After leaving the series and moving to the United States, she was cast on All My Children two years later.
Returning to South Africa in 2001, TerBlanche opened a spa, worked on several documentaries and also hosted TV shows.
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At the time of her death, she was reportedly splitting her time between Los Angeles and her home country.