Esther Rantzen: Everything you need to know about the BBC journalist from personal life to illness

Dame Esther Louise Rantzen is a noted English journalist and television presenter, especially known for presenting the BBC television series, ‘That’s Life!’ Earlier this year, she confirmed that she had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Meaning, which means the cancer has spread beyond the lungs or from one lung to the other.

Esther Rantzen - Who is she?

Esther, born on 22 June 1940 in the picturesque town of Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England, shares her roots with her younger sister, Priscilla N. Taylor. Her educational journey commenced at a local primary school in Berkhamsted in 1945, but it was in the late 1940s that she made a significant move across the Atlantic, with her family settling in the United States.

A proud alumna of Somerville College, Oxford University, Esther embarked on her professional journey at BBC Radio post-graduation, confirmed The Famous People. Her trajectory within the BBC system led her to the television realm, initially assuming roles as a clerk and later as a researcher, all while defying gender norms.

The turning point in her career came at the age of 28 when she graced the screen with 'Braden’s Week,' marking the commencement of an uncharted journey through a string of triumphant programs.

Beyond her on-screen success, Esther is the visionary behind two impactful telephone support services: 'ChildLine' for the well-being of children and 'The Silver Line' catering to the elderly. A committed advocate, she consistently contributes her insights on children's issues to distinguished publications such as the DailyMail. Esther's life is a testament to breaking barriers and creating lasting positive change in society.

What is Esther Rantzen suffering from?

In January 2023, Esther revealed she had been diagnosed with stage four terminal cancer. Speaking about her illness, she revealed that she was ‘relieved’ when the lump in her armpit was diagnosed as lung cancer.

The 83-year-old confirmed that she doesn’t know how long she has to live and is waiting for a scan to find out the results, reported The Sun. Meanwhile, she shared:

I didn’t think I would make it to my birthday.

I definitely didn’t think I’d make it to this Christmas, which I am, it appears.

Anything can happen. I live in a forest, a tree can fall on me. I’ve got to drop off my perch for some reason, and I’m 83 damn it.

I should be jolly grateful and indeed am.

Esther has also signed up to an assisted dying clinic Dignitas in case the result of her scan comes back with bad news. She revealed that if her ‘miracle’ treatment doesn’t work, she will ‘buzz off to Zurich’ where assisted dying is legal. BBC reported that the organisation with which Esther has signed up is a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation that provides physician-assisted dying to members who have illnesses ‘that will inevitably lead to death, unendurable pain or an unendurable disability’ and who have made a ‘reasoned request’ with medical proof.

Esther Rantzen’s family

Esther had three children with her late husband Desmond Wilcox. The eldest one is named Emily Wilcox, born in January 1978, but later changed it to Miriam. She was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome at the age of 14.

Her second child is Rebecca Wilcox who, like her famous mother, is also a journalist and TV presenter. According to The Sun, Rebecca is the middle child with a successful career at BBC. Esther also has a son - Joshua Wilcox. Joshua and his partner Kelly live in the West Country with their children.

Read More

⋙ Tony Bellew and Rachael Roberts are childhood sweethearts, who is the boxer's wife?

⋙ Who is Cat Deeley's husband Patrick Kielty? Meet the presenter and comedian

⋙ Josie Gibson: Who is the This Morning host and what is her net worth?

Sources Used

The Famous People: Esther Rantzen Biography

The Sun: Inside Esther Rantzen’s illness and why she was ‘relieved’ when lump in her armpit was diagnosed as lung cancer

BBC: Esther Rantzen says she's joined assisted dying clinic

The Sun: Who are Esther Rantzen’s children?