London, UK – June 12, 2025, 08:41 AM BST – In a poignant breaking news development, the last wish of beloved broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen has been revealed following her terminal lung cancer diagnosis, with sources confirming that her will, detailing the distribution of her entire estate, has already been prepared. The 84-year-old Childline founder, who has been battling Stage 4 cancer since January 2023, expressed her deepest desire to be reunited with her late husband Desmond Wilcox in a peaceful death, a revelation that has touched the hearts of millions across the UK.
The wish was disclosed in a private letter shared with her family on June 11, obtained by close confidants, where Rantzen wrote, “My greatest hope is to leave this world with dignity, surrounded by love, and join Desmond in peace—free from pain.” This echoes her long-standing advocacy for assisted dying, a cause she championed after joining Dignitas in 2023, though her deteriorating health has made travel to Switzerland unfeasible, as her daughter Rebecca Wilcox noted in April 2025. The letter also confirmed that her will, drafted with legal assistance, allocates her estate—estimated at £2.5 million, including her New Forest cottage and savings—to her three children, Miriam, Rebecca, and Joshua, with significant portions earmarked for Childline and cancer charities.
Rantzen’s health has worsened since her medication stopped working earlier this year, a fact her daughter revealed in March, prompting this final act of planning. The news has sparked an emotional response, with fans expressing grief and admiration online, reflecting on her legacy as a broadcaster and campaigner. “Esther’s wish to be with Desmond is heartbreaking but beautiful—her strength shines through,” one post noted. Colleagues like Gyles Brandreth have paid tribute, calling her “a beacon of courage to the end.”
As the nation digests this revelation, Rantzen’s prepared will and last wish underscore her resolve to control her final chapter, leaving a lasting impact on those who admired her fight for dignity in death. Her family has requested privacy as they honor her wishes, with the UK united in mourning yet celebrating her enduring spirit.