The Tragic Truth: 5 Heartbreaking Details About How General Hospital's Monica Quartermaine Died

The iconic matriarch of the Quartermaine family, Dr. Monica Quartermaine, has officially passed away on General Hospital, marking the end of a nearly 50-year run for one of daytime television's most beloved characters. This profound loss for the residents of Port Charles and the show's loyal fanbase comes as a direct result of the death of the legendary actress who portrayed her, Leslie Charleson, who passed away in early 2025. The emotional storyline, which aired in the fall of 2025, provided a touching, yet devastating, on-screen farewell that honored both the character's legacy and the actress's monumental career.

As of December 2025, the Quartermaine family is still reeling from the aftermath, particularly the shocking revelations from Monica’s last will and testament that have thrown the future of the entire Quartermaine estate and the historic Quartermaine mansion into chaos. Here is the complete, updated story on Monica Quartermaine's passing, the life of Leslie Charleson, and the dramatic legacy she left behind.

The Life and Legacy of Leslie Charleson: Dr. Monica Quartermaine's Iconic Portrayer

Leslie Charleson was a cornerstone of General Hospital for nearly five decades, becoming synonymous with the character of Dr. Monica Quartermaine. Her dedication to the role earned her critical acclaim and a permanent place in soap opera history. The following is a brief look at her remarkable life and career:

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• Full Name: Leslie Ann Charleson
• Born: February 22, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri
• Died: January 12, 2025, at the age of 79
• Cause of Death: Complications from a long illness, following a recent fall.
• Main Role: Dr. Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital (August 17, 1977 – December 21, 2023 [last on-screen appearance])
• Emmy Nominations: Charleson was a four-time Daytime Emmy Award nominee for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on General Hospital (1986, 1988, 1990, 1993).
• Other Roles: Before joining GH, she was a regular on the ABC soap opera A Time for Us and also appeared in films like The Crazy World of Julius Vrooder (1974).
• Tenure: At the time of her passing, she was one of the longest-tenured actors in the history of American daytime television.

The Official Storyline: How Monica Quartermaine Died on General Hospital

The writers of General Hospital faced the difficult task of honoring Leslie Charleson's death while providing a meaningful exit for the beloved character. The storyline unfolded in the fall of 2025, providing closure for the Quartermaine family and the residents of Port Charles.

A Peaceful Passing in Her Sleep

In a poignant and respectful narrative choice, Dr. Monica Quartermaine was confirmed to have died peacefully in her sleep. This decision allowed the focus to remain on the family's grief and her lasting impact, rather than a dramatic or sensationalized on-screen death. The episode that aired on September 25, 2025, served as the beginning of a two-part farewell, with much of Port Charles coming together to mourn the loss of the Quartermaine matriarch.

The Final On-Screen Appearance

Leslie Charleson's final appearance as Monica Quartermaine had actually aired much earlier, on December 21, 2023. This gap between her last footage and the character's death announcement is common in the world of soap operas, but it meant the show had to rely on the emotional performances of her co-stars to carry the weight of the loss.

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The Quartermaine family, including Tracy Quartermaine and Jason Quartermaine, were heavily featured in the weeks following the announcement, grappling with the reality of her absence. The intimate dialogue between Jason and Tracy, in particular, resonated with fans, showcasing the deep-seated love and complicated history within the family.

The Shocking Aftermath: Monica's Will and the Quartermaine Mansion Chaos

True to the dramatic nature of the Quartermaine family, Monica’s passing was immediately followed by intense drama surrounding her final wishes, particularly the fate of the historic Quartermaine mansion. The reading of the will became a major storyline in late 2025, shaking the foundation of the entire family.

The Mystery of the Secret Sister

The most shocking revelation from Monica’s will was a twist that only a soap opera could deliver: she left the entire Quartermaine estate to a previously unknown "secret sister." This bombshell immediately turned the Quartermaine mansion into a legal and emotional battlefield. The family, including Tracy and Ned, were stunned by the existence of this long-lost relative, and the drama surrounding her identity and intentions quickly became the central focus of the show.

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The Sale of the Quartermaine Mansion

Adding to the chaos, the will drama coincided with a separate, yet related, plot involving the sale of the mansion. Prior to the will reading, Tracy Quartermaine had been involved in a scheme with Ronnie to sell the estate to Drew Cain. The discovery of Monica's true will, which essentially nullified Tracy's maneuvering, created a race against time. The question became: Was the sale contract signed before the true contents of Monica’s will could be revealed? The legal battle over the mansion's ownership—a symbol of the Quartermaine legacy for decades—is one of the most significant storylines currently unfolding in Port Charles as of late 2025.

The death of Dr. Monica Quartermaine, triggered by the passing of the irreplaceable Leslie Charleson, has not only brought a heartfelt farewell to a beloved character but has also ushered in a new era of drama for the Quartermaine family, proving that even in death, Monica remains the powerful, central figure of her complicated dynasty.