British broadcaster and campaigner Esther Rantzen dies at 86

British broadcaster and campaigner Esther Rantzen has died at the age of 86. Rantzen, known for her work on the BBC consumer affairs program "That's Life!" from 1973 to 1994, became a prominent voice in the recent attempt to legalize assisted dying in the UK. Over her decades-long career, she helped establish charities for children and older people, including Childline in 1986 and The Silver Line in 2012.

Rantzen's children remembered her as a source of joy, comfort, excellent communication skills, and expert guidance. She was appointed a dame in 2015 by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to children and older people. Rantzen, who was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2023, advocated for assisted dying and criticized the "messy and cruel" law in England and Wales.

She was married to television producer and documentary maker Desmond Wilcox, who passed away in 2000. Her children expressed gratitude for her final rest with Des and immeasurable loss.