Influencer Esther Thomas, Known Online as ‘Sunshine,’ Dies After Undergoing Surgery
- - Influencer Esther Thomas, Known Online as ‘Sunshine,’ Dies After Undergoing Surgery
Luke ChinmanJanuary 13, 2026 at 11:44 PM
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sunshine_official223/Instagram
Esther Thomas -
Nigerian influencer Esther Thomas — known on social media as “Sunshine” — died on Jan. 9
The content creator had a combined following of nearly 500,000 across Instagram and Facebook for her comedic, skit-style videos
Her family wrote in a statement that Thomas “suddenly passed away” after undergoing surgery
Nigerian influencer Esther Thomas — known on social media as “Sunshine” — died on Jan. 9, her family announced in a statement on Instagram.
“We the family of Esther Thomas (A.K.A. Sunshine) with pain in our heart we regret to annonce [sic] the sudden demise of our beloved sister and daughter,” the family wrote in a Jan. 10 post. The statement noted that Thomas — who had a fibroid — “suddenly passed away” after undergoing surgery.
“We are trying to put things in place so we could put her to rest,” the statement concluded.
Thomas, who maintained a following of nearly 500,000 across Instagram and Facebook, was known for comedic, skit-style videos. She regularly collaborated with other Nigerian internet personalities, including Ifedilimuo Ifeanyi Prosper (known online as “realbigskilz”), Lucy Antem and Chidera Madu.
sunshine_official223/Instagram
Esther Thomas
In a video he uploaded after the news of Thomas’s death was made public, Madu explained that she started experiencing stomach pain on Dec. 28, which worsened on Jan. 1, prompting her to be rushed to the hospital.
After a series of scans, Madu continued, doctors determined that Thomas’s fibroid had “grown so big.” Doctors recommended that she undergo an operation to remove the fibroid to help relieve her pain, and even though Madu says doctors told him her operation was “successful,” he believes she experienced complications and later died.
In the comments of her family’s statement, fans posted tributes to the late.
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“i cant even explain how i feel rn but tbvh this one really touch me😔 you were such a nice, dedicated and very hardworking person, my deepest condolences to your family during this period🙏🏾” shared one.
sunshine_official223/Instagram
Esther Thomas
Wrote another: “I am still trying to process this…. I still can’t believe it 💔💔💔”
“I’m still trying to believe this 😢💔” a third penned.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
