Legendary South African actress Michelle Botes, 63, has died. The former Isidingo actress died at the age of 63 on Saturday morning.
In her last interview with publication Bruis, Botes opened up about her two and a half year battle with advanced multiple myeloma, a rare, incurable type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow.
Her agent, Suzi Howes of Oh Talent, confirmed the news to IOL, shedding light that the former “Legacy” actress had not been well for some time.
"We are very saddened by the news. She was an icon of our industry. Michelle had grace and a beautiful spirit. She will be greatly missed." she told IOL.
Howes sent their sympathies and condolences to her family and loved ones.
In a social media post, the agency paid tribute to the actress; “RIP @michellebotesofficial It was an honour knowing you over this past year. Your commitment to your craft was inspirational.
“You had a light inside you that was felt by all who were around you. Deepest condolences to your nearest and dearest.”
According to the publication, Bruis, Botes had lived with her son, Daniel, and his wife, Nolene, in Observatory, Cape Town, since her cancer diagnosis in July 2022. Botes also has a daughter.
She was initially treated with chemotherapy and steroids and later received a stem cell transplant, but did not want to continue with this treatment. “I didn’t want to feel so bad again and not be myself,” she said.
Doctors gave her two to three months to live in October after her cancer count rose alarmingly. She began undergoing more holistic, less invasive cancer treatment in November, but has deteriorated rapidly over the past two weeks.
"Whatever awaits me, I'm ready," she said.
Botes is well-known for her role in “Isidingo” as villain Cherrel de Villers-Hains-le Roux, who viewers had a love-hate relationship with. She also starred in “Binnelanders” and later M-Net’s telenovela “The Legacy”.
In 2006, she won two awards: Best Actress and Best Onscreen Villain at the nineteenth annual Avanti Awards and she has won a SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Supporting Actress in the Telenovela in 2021.
IOL Entertainment