The Nigerian entertainment community is struggling to come to terms with the painful news of the death of popular content creator Sunshine Esther, whose real name is Esther Thomas.
Her family announced her passing on Saturday through a message shared on her Instagram page. According to them, Sunshine Esther died on Friday, January 9, 2026, after suffering complications following surgery for fibroid.
“With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our dear sister and daughter, Esther Thomas, also known as Sunshine Esther,” the family wrote. “She went in for surgery due to fibroid, but sadly, she did not make it. We are currently putting things together to give her a proper burial.”
When Sunshine Esther’s Health Problems Began
Those who knew Sunshine Esther say the news feels unreal. Just days earlier, she was still full of energy, posting content and making people laugh the way she always did.
A close friend and fellow creator, Chidera Madu, later shared what really happened in the days leading up to her death. According to him, Sunshine Esther began complaining of serious stomach pain on December 28, 2025. The pain became worse as the days went by, and by New Year’s Day, she had to be admitted to Orchid General Hospital. After running several tests, doctors told them she had fibroid that had grown quite large.
Delayed Care and a Difficult Decision
But the situation soon became more troubling. Chidera revealed that they later discovered Sunshine Esther was only being given pain medication because the doctors assigned to her case were on strike.
When it became clear that she wasn’t getting the proper care she needed, he made the decision to move her to another hospital on January 2.
Surgery, Complications and Heartbreak
At the new hospital, doctors reviewed her scans and medical reports and said surgery was the only option. The operation was carried out, and at first, it seemed successful. Everyone thought she was going to be fine.
Then things suddenly changed.
Not long after the surgery, Sunshine Esther developed serious complications. Despite efforts by the medical team, she did not survive.
“The doctor told us the surgery went well,” Chidera wrote, “but later she started having complications, and that was how we lost her.”
The Life Sunshine Esther Lived
Beyond her comedy skits that made thousands of people laugh online, Sunshine Esther was also a model, brand influencer and video vixen who was slowly but steadily building her name in the entertainment world. Many young creators looked up to her for her consistency, her positive energy and her refusal to give up on her dreams.
Tributes and a Community in Mourning
Since the news of her death broke, social media has been flooded with emotional tributes from fans and colleagues, all expressing shock and deep sadness over the loss of someone so full of life.
Sunshine Esther’s passing has left a quiet ache in the hearts of many — a reminder of how fragile life is and how quickly everything can change.
Rest in peace, Sunshine Esther. You were loved, and you will not be forgotten