Esther Rantzen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Esther Rantzen
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Rantzen in 2022
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| Born |
Esther Louise Rantzen
22 June 1940 Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England
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| Education |
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| Alma mater | Somerville College, Oxford |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1968–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Desmond Wilcox
(m. 1977; died 2000) |
| Children | 3, including Rebecca |
Dame Esther Louise Rantzen (born 22 June 1940) is a famous English journalist and TV presenter. Many people know her from the BBC show That's Life!, which she presented for 21 years, from 1973 to 1994.
Esther Rantzen is also well-known for her charity work. She started two very important charities: Childline in 1986, which is a helpline for children, and The Silver Line in 2012, which helps older people who feel lonely. She has received many awards for her work, including being made a Dame in 2015 for helping children and older people.
Contents
Early Life and Family History
Esther Rantzen was born in Berkhamsted, England. Her family is Jewish. She went to school in New York for a while, then to North London Collegiate School in London. Later, she studied English at Somerville College, Oxford, a famous university. While at Oxford, she enjoyed acting in plays.
In 2008, Esther Rantzen appeared on the TV show Who Do You Think You Are?. She learned that her family came from Warsaw in the 1760s. Her great-great-grandfather moved to Britain in the 1850s. Her family also has connections to famous people like Barney Barnato, a very rich diamond merchant, and Ada Leverson, a writer and friend of Oscar Wilde.
Her Amazing Career
Starting at the BBC
Esther Rantzen began her career at BBC Radio learning about sound effects. She then moved to television, working behind the scenes as a researcher. She helped with shows like BBC-3 and Man Alive.
In 1968, she became a presenter on Braden's Week. The show's producer thought she would be great on screen. When that show ended, the BBC created That's Life! in 1973, with Esther as the main presenter.
That's Life! and Helping People
That's Life! was a huge hit, watched by over 18 million people! It was more than just a consumer show. It helped people with serious problems. For example, it campaigned for more organ donors. This campaign featured a young boy named Ben Hardwick, who needed a liver transplant.
To balance the serious topics, the show also had funny parts. Viewers would send in amusing mistakes from newspapers. There were also funny songs by artists like Victoria Wood.
In 1976, Esther also created The Big Time. This show helped launch the singing career of Sheena Easton.
Creating Childline
One of the biggest achievements of That's Life! was the creation of Childline in 1986. This was the first national helpline for children in danger or distress.
Esther Rantzen got the idea after a TV program called Childwatch. This program looked at how to find children at risk of abuse. She suggested that the BBC should open a helpline for young viewers who needed help.
Many experts thought it would be impossible to create such a helpline. But Esther and her team found funding and got help from BT for premises and a free phone number (0800 1111).
On the first night in October 1986, Childline received 50,000 calls! Today, Childline has many centers across the UK. It joined with the NSPCC in 2006 to help even more children. The idea of Childline has been copied in 150 countries around the world.
The Silver Line for Older People
In 2013, Esther Rantzen started another important charity called The Silver Line. This charity helps older people who feel lonely or isolated. It offers a free, confidential helpline for advice and support.
The Silver Line also has a befriending service. Volunteers make regular phone calls to older people. This helps them feel less alone. The Silver Line has now joined with AgeUK to expand its reach.
Later TV Work and Charity Efforts
Esther Rantzen continued to work in television after That's Life!. In 1988, she created Hearts of Gold, a show that celebrated people who did kind or brave things. She also had her own talk show called Esther.
She even appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004!
Esther has made documentaries about important topics. One was about Sir Nicholas Winton, who saved many Czech children from the Holocaust. She also made a program about palliative care, which is special care for people with serious illnesses.
She is a patron or vice-president of 55 charities. She works hard for children, older people, and disabled people. She was a volunteer counselor for Childline for many years. She is also the vice-president of Revitalise, a charity that provides holidays for people with disabilities.
In 2018, she presented a show called Esther Rantzen’s House Trap. It used hidden cameras to catch dishonest traders who tried to trick older people.
Her Political Journey
In 2009, Esther Rantzen decided to try standing for Parliament as an independent candidate. She wanted to make a difference in politics. She ran in the Luton South area in the 2010 election. She came in fourth place, showing that many people supported her.
In 2014, she was one of many public figures who signed a letter hoping that Scotland would remain part of the United Kingdom.
Personal Life
Esther Rantzen was married to Desmond Wilcox, who was also a TV producer. They had three children: Miriam, Rebecca, and Joshua. Desmond Wilcox created many award-winning documentaries.
In January 2023, Esther Rantzen shared that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer. She has been open about her health journey, remaining optimistic about new treatments. In December 2023, she announced that she had joined Dignitas, an assisted dying clinic in Switzerland. She lives in the New Forest, Hampshire.
Awards and Recognition
Esther Rantzen has received many honors for her work:
- She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1991 for her work in broadcasting.
- She became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2006 for her services to children.
- She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2015 for her services to children and older people through Childline and The Silver Line.
She has also won many professional awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from Women in Film and Television. She was the first woman to receive a Dimbleby Award from BAFTA for presenting factual programs. She also received the Snowdon Award for helping disabled people.
Images for kids
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Rantzen at the 2009 British Academy Television Awards
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