Celebrated actress Sylvia Syms starred in EastEnders as Peggy Mitchell’s friend Olive Woodhouse from 2007 to 2010 and passed away in January last year at the age of 89
EastEnders star Sylvia Syms has left over one million pounds in her will after passing away at the beginning of last year.
The BAFTA nominated star played Olive Woodhouse on the BBC soap from 2007 until 2010 – and also had roles in Peak Practice, At Home with the Braithwaites. Sylvia passed away in January 2023 at the age of 89 – just three weeks after her birthday.
The star was affectionately known as the Grand Dame of British Cinema, and enjoyed a film career from the mid-1950s until mid-1960s. Now it has been revealed the star left a £1.43 million fortune after she died and donated some of the money to acting schools and charities.
While the main bulk of the money was left to her two children, Ben and Beatie – who have also made careers as performers. Details of her will have been revealed, and it has been uncovered that Sylvia donated £5,000 to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art school in London, and £2,000 donations to the charities Intermission and Age UK.
The Sun goes on to report: “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.” Sylvia “died peacefully” at Denville Hall, a care home in London for those in the entertainment industry.
Her death 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 spokesman paid tribute to the star on behalf of the soap at the time, saying in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Sylvia Syms has passed away. Our love and thoughts are with Sylvia’s family and friends.”
Speaking to the Mirror in 2017, Sylvia candidly shared her fears about becoming frail in older life and the way the world had changed over her lifetime. She said: “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 said of those working in the care system: “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?”
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