Lize van der Walt joined the UK Gladiators in 1997, bringing strength, spirit and determination to the Arena. According to the BBC, she was chosen from thousands of applicants to become one of the show's new Gladiators, quickly making her mark as the character Gold. Although injury limited her appearances on the program, she showed incredible resilience and proved that all that glistens truly was Gold. She returned to the Arena in 2000 to represent the UK against South Africa in a special international competition, showcasing her enduring athletic prowess.
Originally from South Africa, van der Walt was a talented athlete long before her television fame, excelling in the 400m and relay events. Her adventurous spirit brought her to the UK, where she became part of Gladiators history. After her time on the show, she later returned home to Hermanus in South Africa and built a new life as a successful artist. She created seascapes and semi-abstract work inspired by her surroundings, establishing herself in the art world with a distinctive creative voice.
We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Gladiators' golden girl, Gold.
Van der Walt has a son named Michael, though details about funeral arrangements or memorial services have not been disclosed. The BBC aired Gladiators from 1992 until 2000, making van der Walt part of the show's later era. The national broadcaster expressed deep sadness at her passing, stating their thoughts are with her son Michael, her family, friends and all who knew and loved her, and thanking her for the memories as part of Gladiators history.
Her death marks the loss of a versatile talent who transitioned from competitive athletics to television stardom and artistic achievement. The Gladiators show, which featured physical challenges and larger-than-life characters, became a cultural phenomenon during its run, with van der Walt's role as Gold contributing to its popularity in the late 1990s. Her artistic career in South Africa demonstrated her continued creativity beyond the arena, with her work reflecting the coastal beauty of her Hermanus home.
Lize joined the UK Gladiators in 1997, bringing strength, spirit and determination to the Arena. Chosen from thousands of applicants to become one of the show’s new Gladiators, she quickly made her mark. Although injury limited her appearances, she showed incredible resilience and when she did compete, she proved that all that glistens truly was Gold.
The exact cause of death beyond a battle with cancer has not been specified, and it remains unknown what specific type of cancer she battled or how long she had been fighting the illness. The precise time the BBC statement was released on Tuesday morning has also not been confirmed.
Her adventurous spirit brought her to the UK, where she became part of Gladiators history.
Our thoughts are with her son Michael, her family, friends and all who knew and loved her. Thank you for the memories, Lize. You will always be part of Gladiators history.