Sylvia Syms, the beloved EastEnders actress who sadly passed away in early 2023, left behind an estate valued at over one million pounds in her will.
The BAFTA-nominated actress, best known for her role as Olive Woodhouse in the BBC soap from 2007 to 2010, also appeared in shows like Peak Practice and At Home with the Braithwaites. She died in January 2023, just three weeks after celebrating her 89th birthday.
Affectionately called the Grand Dame of British Cinema, Sylvia had a flourishing film career that lasted from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s.
Following her passing, she left an impressive fortune of £1.43 million, with portions allocated to acting schools and charitable organizations.
Most of her wealth was inherited by her two children, Ben and Beatie, who have both followed in their mother’s footsteps in the entertainment industry.
Recent disclosures about her will indicate that Sylvia generously donated £5,000 to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and gave £2,000 each to charities Intermission and Age UK.
According to The Sun, her close friend and adviser, Peter Stephens, along with other selected friends, had the opportunity to choose a painting from her personal collection.
Reports from the Mirror stated that Sylvia “died peacefully” at Denville Hall, a care home in London dedicated to supporting those from the entertainment sector.
Her children issued a heartfelt statement confirming her passing, saying, “Our mother, Sylvia, died peacefully this morning.
She lived an amazing life and brought us joy and laughter until the end. Just yesterday, we reminisced about all our adventures. She will be deeply missed. We would like to thank everyone at Denville Hall for the excellent care they provided for our Mum over the past year.”
The cast and crew of EastEnders also paid tribute to Sylvia, expressing their sorrow over her death and extending their thoughts to her family and friends.
In a 2017 interview with the Mirror, the late actress shared her concerns about aging and the changes she witnessed throughout her life. She voiced worries about the effects of Brexit on healthcare, stating, “When I was last in hospital (in 2014 for pneumonia), the nurses were all European.
But now they are all leaving 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.”
Sylvia also commented on the challenges faced by care workers, noting, “What frightens me is the number of young people who have trained for this work.
They only get 10 minutes to prepare a bit of toast and then have to drive across the city to see the next person. It’s dreadful. The sad truth is they are not paid properly. Those working in old people’s homes receive terrible wages. So, how can you expect them to care?”
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