Australian television actress Rachael Carpani, known for her roles in Home and Away and McLeod's Daughters, died suddenly at the age of 45. After a long battle with chronic illness, the actor's family said she died peacefully. Tributes flooded in from all over the world as the world mourned the death of this Australian actress. Her sister had released a statement:“It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away. The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements.” View this post on Instagram Instagram PostDid Racheal Carpani have any kids? Family background and early lifeRachael Carpani did not have children.According to various reports and various biographies written about her, the actress had never turned into a mother, and besides, she kept her personal life hidden throughout her entire life, mostly during her later years. While she would talk all about her struggles with health and personal development, she never spoke about wanting to become a mother. However, she enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephew and is also a Godmother to her youngest niece.Rachael Carpani was born on August 24, 1980, in Sydney, Australia, to parents Tony and Gael Carpani. She grew up on a farm outside of Dural in Sydney’s Hills District, where she spent a good deal of her youth out of the spotlight that she would later know in her adult life.She went to The Hills Grammar School, most famously with future pop star Delta Goodrem, before embarking on any formal acting education. Carpani holds a degree in acting from the Australian College of Entertainment at Macquarie University, in addition to her degree at Drama Works Drama Company.Her marriage to Matt Passmore and her life in the StatesCarpani met actor Matt Passmore while working in the Australian television industry, and the two were previously married. While pursuing acting opportunities abroad, the pair relocated to the United States together. By the year 2011, they went their separate ways after being married for five years. After her divorce, she did not remarry, despite all the public interest. Even after their split, she appeared opposite him in the TV show The Glades. Rachel Carpani's workRachael Carpani gained national recognition with her character Jodi Fountain in the long-running Australian drama McLeod's Daughters. From the year 2001 to 2009, she was in almost 180 episodes and became one of the most recognized faces in the series. For her role as Jodi Fountain, she was nominated for two Logies in 2007, which were for the Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress and the Gold Logie. While she did not win, her performance on the TV show made her one of the most recognized faces in Australian television. Carpani returned for the final episode of the series to provide a sense of resolution to the character that defined much of her early career.Since leaving the show McLeod's Daughters, Carpani moved to the United States because she did not want to be stereotyped and wanted to expand her career in acting. She has made a number of appearances, like in 800 words, including some in the American productions like NCIS: Los Angeles, co-starring alongside LL Cool J, and had recurring roles in The Glades and Against the Wall.Her film work included Law Dogs, Hating Alison Ashley, The Very Excellent Mr Dundee and The Way Back which was directed by Peter Weir. She made a stellar late-career return to local television in 2024 with the recurring role of Claudia Salini in Home and Away.In the year 2021, she revealed that she had been having severe abdominal pain for which she was hospitalised and had to undergo surgery. At the time, she told other women to listen to their bodies and not to ignore warning signs:“Basically, it was a case of me not listening to my body and the pain (I tend to work through pain!) and allowing myself to get quite ill. Yet again, another lesson, especially to women who tend to ignore their own care because "there's no time" or more important things or people to look after, to stop and listen to what your body is trying to tell you.'”Although specifics were not revealed, her family had informed that she had been dealing with a severe illness. Carpani continued to work even though she was dealing with health issues. She passed away on December 7, 2025, and family, close friends and relatives attended her funeral. Her legacy as a talented actress, activist, philanthropist and supporter of mental health will live on.Stay tuned to Soap Central for more information.