EastEnders star leaves HUGE sum of cash in her will after her dying final yr aged 89

EastEnders star Sylvia Syms left a whopping £1.43million in her will when she died, it has been revealed. 

The actress – who played Peggy Mitchell’s pal Olive Woodhouse in Albert Square from 2007 to 2010 –  passed away in January 2023 at the age of 89. 

It has now been revealed by The Sun that Sylvia had more than £1.4million to her name, and donated some of the cash to acting schools and charities.

Most of her money, including her property, was left to her children Ben and Beatie -who took after their mum as they ventured into the world of acting. 

Sylvia donated £5,000 to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art school, a prestigious acting college, and £2,000 each to charities Intermission and Age UK.

EastEnders star Sylvia Syms left a whopping £1.43million in her will when she died aged 89 in January 2023, it has been revealed (Pictured in 2007)

The actress passed away in January last year (Pictured in TV show The Saint in 1963)

The stage and screen star also allowed her close pals, including adviser Peter Stephens, to take a painting of their choice from her collection. 

Sylvia ‘died peacefully’ in January of last year at Denville Hall, a care home in London for those in the entertainment industry.

She was best known for her role as Sister Diana in the 1958 film Ice Cold In Alex, which chronicled the Western Desert campaign during the Second World War.

Her most recent role was in 2019 in the BBC period drama Gentleman Jack as Mrs Rawson. 

A statement from her children, Beatie and Ben Edney, said: ‘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.’

Sylvia was born on January 6, 1934, in London. As war erupted in Europe, Sylvia became one of thousands of children evacuated from the capital, moving first to Kent and then, in 1940, to Monmouthshire.

Sylvia played Peggy Mitchell’s pal Olive Woodhouse in Albert Square from 2007 to 2010

It has now been revealed by The Sun that Sylvia had more than £1.4million to her name, and donated some of the cash to acting schools and charities (Pictured in 2008)

Most of her money, including her property, was left to her children Ben and Beatie -who took after their mum as they ventured into the world of acting (Pictured at her wedding in 1956)

Sylvia (right) also featured alongside the likes of Sir Cliff Richard in Expresso Bongo and before later working with Dame Helen Mirren in hit film The Queen

Speaking of being evacuated, she said: ‘When I was sent away, parents couldn’t come on the station platform to say goodbye, they had to wave from afar. It was pretty awful.’ 

She later recalled the trauma of being split up from her family and separated from her mother, who died of a brain tumour when Sylvia was just 12. 

‘Sending me away from home gave me the impression I was not loved, which was unfair but it’s the truth,’ she said. ‘It’s why I became a performer and never stopped working.’

As a youngster, Sylvia was was educated at convent schools before receiving dramatic training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. 

It was here her love for the performing arts flourished and in 1954, that dream became a reality when she made her stage debut in a production of ‘The Apple Cart’. 

Sylvia was later made an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007. The actress is pictured collecting her honour from the late Queen at a service in Buckingham Palace 

The talented star went on to feature in more films, including Ice-Cold in Alex, The Moonraker and Woman in a Dressing Gown. 

And she was nominated for Bafta Awards for Woman in a Dressing Gown and No Trees in the Street. 

Sylvia also featured alongside the likes of Sir Cliff Richard in Expresso Bongo and before later working with Dame Helen Mirren in hit film The Queen, where performed alongside the Oscar-winning actress as the Queen Mother.