Dame Esther Rantzen's farewell letter urges fans to donate to Dignitas after her death at 86

From the Newshound archive · first published 3 October 2026 · last updated 4 October 2026.

Dame Esther Rantzen left a handwritten goodbye letter telling family, friends and fans she would 'see you on the other side', released publicly following her death. The veteran broadcaster, who founded Childline in 1986 and fronted 'That's Life!', died surrounded by family at her New Forest home after a battle with stage four lung cancer. She asked that donations in her name be directed to Dignitas in Switzerland and the Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington.

Rantzen wrote: 'All good things must come to an end' and thanked supporters for enabling her to 'live such a long and happy life'.

A Holocaust survivor has said Rantzen was directly responsible for his meeting Sir Nicholas Winton, the man who saved his life.