Esther Valentine
Actor History
Kate Linder (November 1985 to present)
Nicknames
None
Occupation
Trained alcohol abuse councilor
Katherine Chancellor's maid
Resides At
Chancellor Estate, 12 Foothill Road
Marital Status
Single
Past Marriages
Norman Peterson (invalid)
Relatives
Unknown
Children
Kate Tina Valentine (daughter born 1990; with Tiny)
Flings & Affairs
Miguel Rodriguez
Tiny the Plumber
Norman Peterson
Crimes Committed
None
Brief Character History
Esther has been Katherine's maid and loyal friend for nearly 20 years. Known for her ditzy comic relief, Esther can never quite get anything right. When the doorbell rings, she's usually missing, so Kay has to answer it herself. She even accidentally started a fire in the kitchen that nearly burned the place down. But Esther's entire life appears to be dedicated to loyaly serving Katherine.
Only once in 1989 did Esther leave Kay's employ when she was lured away by the newly rich widow Nina Webster Chancellor. Esther had been caring for Nina's baby son Phillip and loved him, and if she left the Chancellor mansion with Nina she could continue be with him. Nina also promised her she would never have to wear her maid's uniform again, she would help Esther find a guy, and they would be more companions that employer/employee. One evening when Nina and Esther were out on the town, Esther met a big guy named Tiny in a bar. She and Tiny had a one night stand, but Esther was sure it was love. When he never contacted her again, she realized all she knew about him was his nickname Tiny and that he was a plumber. Nina wasn't keeping any of her promises, so Esther tried to get her job back with Kay, but Kay had hired a couple to replace her named Robert and Shirley.
When Kay's husband Rex's former cellmate, Clint Radison, found a woman named Marge Catrooke working at a diner who was a dead ringer for Kay. He and his cohorts Morey and Lil who went to work for Kay as houseman Robert and maid Shirley, trained Marge to pass for Kay, then held captive Kay and Esther, who just happened to be with Kay when they kidnapped her. Meanwhile Marge sold Chancellor Industries, drove Rex away, and he filed for divorce, intending to marry Jill. Clint was now free to liquidate the rest of Kay's assets. But son Brock made a surprise return from his missions in India. Brock, with the help of Mitchell Sherman, discovered the ruse, and rescued Kay and Esther, who discovered she was pregnant by Tiny. Clint and his cohorts went to prison, but Marge was released as an innocent dupe, thanks to Katherine. Once her baby was born, she was named Kate, after Esther's dear friend and employer Katherine. Kay and Rex were reunited and re-married, and would have lived happily ever after if it were not for Esther's poor choice in men. Esther answered a personal ad and met con man Norman Peterson. In an effort to impress him she posed as lady of the manor, and Kay and Rex went along with it and dressed up as her servants. Norman coerced Esther into convincing Kay to include her in her will and to marry him. Kay and Rex were suspicious so arranged a fake wedding. Then, not content to wait for Kay to die to be rich, Norman was caught by Rex breaking into the estate safe. Rex was shot and killed in the altercation, leaving Kay devastated! Norman was arrested for murder and Esther has since been forgiven and named in Katherine's will.
Jill Abbott and Kay Chancellor have hated each other since the days when Jill stole Kay's husband Phillip. The latest chapter in their saga began with Jill finding a deed and letter declaring Phillip's love and giving her the Chancellor Estate. Jill used these and the crossed out Chancellor divorce property settlement to sue Kay in court, won 1/2 of the estate, and moved back in permanently where she and Esther fought on a daily basis.
Esther is quite the cook, but in recent years has gotten into health foods, and has been torturing Kay, Brock, Jill, and Kay's friends with them instead. Kay puts up with it, but occasionally insists Esther cook "real food." Esther has gotten "online" with her laptop, and her screen name is Clean Queen. Esther's daughter Kate is currently attending boarding school courtesy of Kay Chancellor.
Years later Kay had a stroke when she realized that the baby she gave up many years ago was now her own worst enemy Jill! Esther and Jill were left to care for Kay who could not move or talk from the stroke. As Kay got better, she didn't let Jill know, testing her to see if just maybe she might care for her like a mother. But eventually Kay showed Jill she was nearly back to normal, and Jill was able to begin to come to grips with how she really feels about Kay being her mother. Jill and Kay fought over the disruption of having Esther around, so Kay and Esther moved into the Genoa City Hotel to give Jill some space. But both later moved back to the mansion.
Esther became a trained alcohol abuse councilor after Katherine fell off the wagon again. With the help of Esther, Jill and Judge Arthur Hendricks (and a post death visit from Rex and young Phillip) they were able to get Kay to check in to rehab and Kay is now back living at the Chancellor Estate clean and sober.
