Port Charles, NY – In a series of emotionally charged episodes that have left viewers reaching for their tissues, General Hospital has finally addressed the devastating loss of a legacy character, Dr. Monica Quartermaine, portrayed for nearly five decades by the beloved Leslie Charleson, who passed away in January 2025. But it is the raw, gut-wrenching grief of her longtime rival and sister-in-law, Tracy Quartermaine, played by the formidable Jane Elliot, that has captured the hearts of millions and revealed a shocking, heartbreaking truth about their complex relationship.
For decades, the halls of the Quartermaine mansion echoed with the fiery clashes between Tracy and Monica. Theirs was a rivalry born of jealousy, power struggles, and a constant battle for control of the family dynasty, ELQ. “On a good day, we could barely stand each other,” Tracy confessed to her nephew, Jason Morgan (Steve Burton), in a moment of stunning vulnerability. “And on a bad day, we practically came to blows.”
This on-screen animosity, however, masked a deep, unspoken bond of mutual respect that grew with each passing year. As Tracy navigated her grief, flashbacks treated viewers to the epic squabbles between the two women, a poignant reminder of the powerful chemistry between Elliot and Charleson. But the most heartbreaking revelation was yet to come. “But through it all and maybe because of it, I don’t know, my respect for her just kept growing,” Tracy admitted, her voice thick with emotion.
The departure of Monica from Port Charles was not a choice made by the writers for dramatic effect, but a necessity born of real-life tragedy. Leslie Charleson, the longest-tenured cast member of General Hospital, passed away at the age of 79. The show waited a respectful eight months before writing her character’s death into the storyline, a decision that allowed for a proper and fitting tribute. The on-screen cause of death was stated as Monica passing away peacefully in her sleep, a gentle end for a character who had endured so much.
The tribute episodes, which aired on September 25, 2025, were a masterclass in emotional storytelling, with Jane Elliot delivering a performance that is already being hailed as Emmy-worthy. Her portrayal of Tracy’s sorrow was so profound, so real, that it blurred the lines between fiction and reality. In a particularly moving and possibly unscripted moment, Tracy reached out to wipe away Jason’s tears, a small gesture that spoke volumes about the depth of her grief and the love that lay hidden beneath years of bickering.
Steve Burton, who has shared the screen with both actresses for many years, also spoke about the emotional toll of filming these scenes. He acknowledged the “rich history” of the Quartermaines and the palpable emptiness of the Quartermaine mansion without Monica. “Jane [Elliot, Tracy Quartermaine] and I are just there doing the scenes in this big, empty place, so it wasn’t easy for sure,” he shared.
As Tracy and Jason, two of the last remaining Quartermaines, find solace in their shared grief, viewers are reminded that death has a way of bringing people together. The passing of Monica Quartermaine is not just the end of a character’s journey, but the end of an era for General Hospital. And in the heartbreakingly beautiful portrayal of Tracy’s grief, we see the ultimate tribute to a character, an actress, and a rivalry that will forever be etched in the annals of daytime television.
