EastEnders star leaves incredible seven-figure fortune in will after death last year

EastEnders' well-loved actress Sylvia Syms, who graced screens as Olive Woodhouse in the renowned BBC soap from 2007 to 2010, has bequeathed more than one million pounds following her death early last year.

Renowned for her BAFTA-nominated performances and roles in other classic shows like Peak Practice and At Home with the Braithwaites, Sylvia died in January 2023, aged 89, just a mere three weeks after her birthday celebration.

Hailed as the Grand Dame of British Cinema, the actress relished a vibrant film career beginning in the mid-1950s and continuing until the mid-1960s. Recently disclosed details reveal that the celebrated star left behind a £1.43 million legacy, including donations to acting schools and charities.

While Sylvia's primary beneficiaries are her children, Ben and Beatie, who followed her footsteps into the entertainment industry, she also remembered prestigious institutions such as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, gifting them £5,000. Additionally, the charities Intermission and Age UK were each bequeathed £2,000.

The Sun reports that Sylvia's family allowed "Close friend and adviser Peter Stephens and other pals chosen by her family were also offered the chance to pick a painting from her personal collection," reports the Mirror.

Mrs. Syms is reported to have "died peacefully" at Denville Halla, a dedicated care home for individuals from the performing arts sector situated in London.

Sylvia's passing was announced by her children, who said in a statement: "Our mother, Sylvia, died peacefully this morning. She has lived an amazing life and gave us joy and laughter right up to the end. Just yesterday, we were reminiscing together about all our adventures. She will be so very missed.

"We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Denville Hall for the truly excellent care they have taken of our Mum over the past year."

An EastEnders spokesperson paid tribute to the star on behalf of the soap, saying: "We are deeply saddened to hear that Sylvia Syms has passed away. Our love and thoughts are with Sylvia's family and friends."

In a 2017 interview with the Mirror, Sylvia openly shared her fears about becoming frail in older life and how the world had changed during her lifetime.

She expressed: "When I was last in hospital (in 2014 for pneumonia) the nurses were all European. But now they are all giving it up because of Brexit. The medical profession is definitely heading towards a crisis. I'm scared of getting ill now and having to go to hospital."

She also made a remark about those employed in the care system, stating: "What scares me terribly is the number of young people who have done all this training.

"They then have 10 minutes with someone to put on a bit of toast and have to drive across a city to see the next person. It's terrible. And the stupid thing is they won't pay properly.

"Those in the old people's homes are paid awfully. So, therefore - are you expecting them to care?".