Leslie Charleson, who starred as Dr. Monica Quartermaine on the soap opera “General Hospital” for nearly 50 years, has died. She was 79.

Frank Valentini, the show’s executive producer, announced Charleson’s death in an Instagram post on Sunday, Jan. 12.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson,” Valentini wrote.

“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,” Valentini continued. “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.”

While the post did not disclose a cause of death, USA Today reported that Charleson died of complications from a long illness.

Charleson was born in Kansas City, Missouri on Feb. 22, 1945, her IMDb biography states. She started her acting career by appearing in multiple popular TV shows including “The Wild Wild West,” “Mannix,” “Adam-12,” “Emergency!” “Ironside,” “Kung Fu” and “Happy Days.”

Charleson landed the role of Monica Quartermaine in “General Hospital” in 1977, appearing in more than 2,000 episodes until her last appearance in 2023.

Charleson received four Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series nominations for her role on the soap opera. She also reprised the role on “General Hospital’s” spin-offs “Port Charles” and “General Hospital: Night Shift.”