Esther Rantzen is an English journalist and television presenter who is best known for presenting the BBC television series That’s Life! for 21 years, from 1973 until 1994.
She is also the founder of the charities Childline and The Silver Line, which provide support and advice to children and older people, respectively.
In recent news, Rantzen has joined the Dignitas assisted dying clinic in Switzerland, where assisted dying is legal, due to her stage four lung cancer diagnosis.
She believes that people should be given the choice about “how you want to go and when you want to go”.
Rantzen has also called for a free vote in parliament on assisted dying and worries that her friends and family would want to be with her, but that could open them up to prosecution.
Esther Rantzen early life
Rantzen was born on June 22, 1940, in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England.
She is the daughter of Henry Barnato Rantzen and Katherine Flora.
Rantzen began her career in broadcasting as a sound effects assistant at BBC Radio and later became a researcher/reporter for Braden’s Week.
She then went on to become the producer/presenter of the long-running BBC television series That’s Life!
Esther Rantzen husband
Rantzen’s husband was Desmond Wilcox, a filmmaker who passed away in 2000.
The couple started dating after meeting in 1968, when Rantzen was the head of her department and Wilcox was married to her friend Patsy, who also worked at the BBC.
Despite the challenges of their unconventional relationship, they decided to live together and eventually got married in 1977.
They had three children together, including Rebecca Dame Esther Rantzen, who was born on June 22, 1940.
How did Esther Rantzen and Desmond Wilcox meet?
Rantzen and Desmond Wilcox met while working at the BBC in 1968.
At the time, Wilcox was married to Patsy Wilcox, who was also a friend of Rantzen’s and worked at the BBC.
Despite the challenges of their unconventional relationship, Rantzen and Wilcox decided to live together and eventually got married in 1977 after his divorce from his first wife.
The couple had three children together, Rebecca, Miriam, and Joshua.
They were happily married for 23 years until Wilcox’s death in 2000 from a heart attack.
Reason for Esther Rantzen and Desmond Wilcox’s divorce
The couple’s divorce was a result of their relationship, which began while Wilcox was married to Rantzen’s friend, Patsy Wilcox.
Patsy initially refused to divorce Desmond, but eventually agreed when Rantzen became pregnant with their first child.
This led to Rantzen and Wilcox getting married in December 1977 after his divorce from his first wife.
The affair and subsequent divorce were the subject of public attention and have been discussed in various media sources.
Esther Rantzen career
Rantzen is an English journalist, television presenter, producer, and writer who has had a long and successful career in broadcasting.
She began her career as a sound effects assistant at BBC Radio and later became a researcher/reporter for Bernard Braden’s consumer program, Braden’s Week.
Rantzen then went on to become the producer/presenter of the long-running BBC television series That’s Life!, which she presented for 21 years, from 1973 until 1994.
She has appeared in more than 2,000 TV programs, including documentaries, talk shows, reality shows and quizzes, and has written columns for The Times, Telegraph, and Daily Mail, in addition to five books.
Rantzen is also the founder of the charities Childline and The Silver Line, which provide support and advice to children and older people, respectively.
In addition to her work in broadcasting and charity, Rantzen has also been involved in political and social activism, campaigning for issues such as child protection, mental health and assisted dying.
She has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including a CBE in 2006 and a DBE in 2015.
What was Esther Rantzen’s first job in television?
Rantzen’s first job in television was as a clerk in the program planning department.
She then worked as a researcher on the BBC1 late-night satire program BBC-3 from 1965 to 1966.
After that, she trained to be a producer/director and became a producer/presenter of the long-running BBC television series That’s Life!, which she presented for 21 years, from 1973 until 1994.
During her career, Rantzen has appeared in more than 2,000 TV programs, including documentaries, talk shows, reality shows, and quizzes, and has written columns for The Times, Telegraph and Daily Mail, in addition to five books.
She has also presented her own talk show, Esther, on BBC Two from 1994 to 2002.
In addition to her work in broadcasting, Rantzen is the founder of the charities Childline and The Silver Line, which provide support and advice to children and older people, respectively.
She has also been involved in political and social activism, campaigning for issues such as child protection, mental health and assisted dying.
FAQ
Why is Esther Rantzen contemplating assisted dying?
Rantzen has recently discussed the topic of assisted dying, raising thought-provoking questions about the end of life and individual choice.
What are the key milestones in Esther Rantzen’s career?
Her career spans from her early days as a sound effects assistant at BBC Radio to becoming a renowned television presenter, producer, and writer, known for her work on That’s Life! and Esther.
How has Esther Rantzen’s career impacted social and political issues?
Rantzen’s influence extends beyond broadcasting, as she is the founder of the charities Childline and The Silver Line, and has been involved in activism on issues such as child protection, mental health and assisted dying.
What challenges did Esther Rantzen face in her career, particularly as a woman in the media industry?
She has spoken about the sexism and challenges she endured in the early days of her career, shedding light on the obstacles faced by women in the media industry during that time.
How has Esther Rantzen’s personal life influenced her public persona?
Rantzen’s personal life, including her marriage to Desmond Wilcox and her family, has been a subject of public interest and has shaped her public image.
What are Esther Rantzen’s views on aging and end-of-life decisions?
Her recent discussions on assisted dying and her involvement in The Silver Line provide insight into her perspectives on aging and end-of-life care.
What are Esther Rantzen’s contributions to mental health advocacy?
Rantzen’s activism extends to mental health issues, and she has been involved in raising awareness and support for mental health challenges.
How has Esther Rantzen’s work impacted the lives of children and older people?
Through her charities, Childline and The Silver Line, Rantzen has made significant contributions to supporting and advocating for the well-being of children and older individuals.
What are some of the defining moments in Esther Rantzen’s public life and career?
Rantzen’s public life has been marked by her pioneering work in television, her charitable contributions, and her advocacy on various social and political issues.
What is the legacy of Esther Rantzen’s career and activism?
Her legacy encompasses her impact on the media industry, her charitable work, and her advocacy, which have left a lasting imprint on society and the lives of many individuals.