BELOVED General Hospital star Leslie Charleson has died aged 79.

Leslie was best known for her role in the hit US soap opera where she played matriarchal figure Monica Quartermaine for nearly 50 years.

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Leslie died over the weekend, according to a heartfelt post on the official General Hospital Instagram account.

General Hospital Executive Producer Frank Valentini said: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson.

“Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on General Hospital alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew.”

“I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set.

“On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”

Leslie started her acting career in the 1960s and gained early recognition for her role as Alice Whipple on the soap opera As the World Turns.

She joined the cast of General Hospital in 1977 where she became one of the show’s most beloved and longstanding characters.

At the time Leslie stepped in to replace Patsy Rahn, who originally played the character.

During her nearly five-decade-long stint on the show, her role was part of daytime’s biggest love triangle which included Rick, Monica and Alan.

Her acting skills earned her widespread acclaim and several award nominations.

In an episode that aired in February 2004, Leslie made a surprise appearance as a guest star in the phenomenally successful sitcom Friends.

She’s featured as herself as a celebrity on the game show “Pyramid” in The One Where the Stripper Cries.

Acting as a cameo on the sitcom spoke to her status as an adored on-screen presence.

Much to the dismay of hardcore fans, General Hospital was taken off and reduced to recurring status in 2010.

In 2018 the star injured herself while walking her dog, requiring her to be replaced for two months on the show.

General Hospital posted on X explaining the actress had hurt herself.

The statement read: “Leslie Charleson’s beloved dog, Riley Rose, was a little too eager for her morning walk and tripped Leslie – injuring her leg.

“Unfortunately, she will need to be replaced in shows already written.”

In recent years Leslie’s health wavered further and the Kansas City native hasn’t appeared on the ABC soap since December 2023.

Her cherished character continued to be mentioned on the show despite her absence, with Monica referred to as being upstairs in the mansion.

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