Sylvia Syms calls for a ban on age discrimination in 2007
It has now been revealed that EastEnders actress and British screen icon Sylvia Syms left an impressive £1.43 million in her estate following her passing in January 2023.
Known to fans of the BBC soap for her portrayal of Olive Woodhouse, Sylvia died at the age of 89 in celeb care home Denville Hall.
It seems the majority of her fortune, including property assets, was left to her children - Ben and Beatie Edney.
Both followed in her footsteps by pursuing acting careers, with Beatie most notably starring in Agatha Christie's Poirot adaptation of The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
Alongside these family bequests, Syms generously earmarked funds for institutions and charities close to her heart.
The actress donated £5,000 to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where she honed her own craft in her early years.
She additionally left £2,000 each to Intermission and Age UK, which are charities that focus on social outreach and senior care.
Close friends of the actress such as her advisor Peter Stephens were also remembered, with Sylvia inviting them to select a painting of their choice from her personal collection.
Sylvia's children released an emotional statement when she died, saying: "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.
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"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."
Sylvia Syms’ acting journey began at RADA, and she went on to gain recognition through her role as Sister Diana in Ice Cold in Alex (1958), a film centred on the Western Desert Campaign during WWII.
Her career continued across stage and screen, with appearances in The Moonraker, Woman in a Dressing Gown, and alongside Sir Cliff Richard in Expresso Bongo.
She received BAFTA nominations for her work in Woman in a Dressing Gown and No Trees in the Street, and even went on to play the Queen Mother in The Queen with Dame Helen Mirren.
