Beloved daytime star Leslie Charleson, who portrayed Dr. Monica Bard Webber Quartermaine on General Hospital for more than 45 years, passed away at the age of 79 on January 12, 2025. Her powerful performances made Monica one of the most unforgettable characters in soap opera history. From scandalous affairs to heartbreaking losses, Monica’s storylines delivered some of the most iconic and emotional moments in Port Charles. Here’s a look back at five of Monica Quartermaine’s most memorable moments that defined both the character and the actress who brought her to life.
Monica and Alan’s Love Story
In 1977, General Hospital introduced Dr. Alan Quartermaine (Stuart Damon), a wealthy physician whose powerful family used their resources to fund a new cardiac wing at the hospital. During this time, Alan fell in love with Dr. Monica Bard, even though Monica’s heart was still pulled toward Dr. Rick Webber (first played by Michael Gregory and later Chris Robinson). Despite her complicated feelings, Monica married Alan, and he presented her with the grand Quartermaine mansion as a wedding gift. That decision would later set up one of the soap’s longest-running jokes. When Alan discovered Monica’s affair with Rick, he tried to throw her out of the house, only for Monica to remind him that the deed was in her name.
Monica’s passion for Rick—and at times other men—sparked plenty of drama, but in the end, Alan was the love of her life. Their volatile but enduring relationship cemented Monica as a true Quartermaine. She developed close ties with her powerful father-in-law, Edward (David Lewis, later John Ingle), and her gracious mother-in-law, Lila (Anna Lee), but not every family member welcomed her so warmly. Alan’s sister, Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot), sparred with Monica for years, determined to prove her infidelity and even questioning Alan’s paternity of Monica’s son, A.J. Although Tracy’s schemes caused endless conflict, she eventually had to admit that Monica’s devotion to the Quartermaine family was undeniable. The two characters grew a strong bond towards the end of Monica’s life, and Tracy has been taking Monica’s death very hard.
Monica and Gail Baldwin’s Complicated Bond
For years, Monica Quartermaine’s true origins were shrouded in mystery. Growing up in an orphanage with no knowledge of her birth parents, Monica was given a second chance at family when she was adopted by Dr. Gail Adamson (Susan Brown). Gail became both a maternal figure and a trusted friend, providing Monica with the stability she had long craved.
But beneath the surface of their close bond was a devastating secret. As a teenager, Monica was assaulted by Gail’s husband, Greg, an ordeal she carried in silence for years out of fear of hurting the woman who had taken her in. Monica and Gail’s relationship was further tested later in life when Gail discovered a series of letters that painted Greg’s side of the story. The revelation nearly destroyed their bond, with Monica tearfully pleading for Gail to believe that she would never betray her trust. After heartbreak and distance, the two women eventually reconciled, reaffirming their deep connection.
Despite the painful past, Gail stood by Monica through some of her most difficult battles. She was there during a snowstorm when Monica went into labor, offering strength and guidance alongside Lesley (Denise Alexander). She also remained by Monica’s side during the breast cancer storyline, offering unwavering support as Monica faced both fear and uncertainty. Gail often reminded Monica that the line between love and hate was razor-thin, particularly when it came to her fiery marriage with Alan Quartermaine. Just how much of this history stays intact about Monica’s origins now that Erika Slezak is rumored to be coming on board as Monica’s sister?
Affairs of the Heart
Monica Quartermaine’s fiery romance with Rick Webber reached its peak when she discovered she was pregnant and believed the baby to be his. For months, Monica dreamed of a future where she, Rick, and their child could finally be a family. After giving birth to Alan Jr., she was certain Rick was the father—until Lila Quartermaine noticed a telltale family birthmark on the infant’s arm. A panicked Monica ordered blood tests, only to learn that the baby’s blood type matched Alan’s, confirming that Alan Quartermaine, not Rick, was the father.
The truth came out in dramatic fashion at a hospital fundraiser, when Alan revealed that A.J. was his son, citing the rare Bombay Phenotype syndrome to explain the genetic proof. The revelation humiliated Monica and sent shockwaves through Port Charles. Rick was furious, publicly accusing Monica of being a liar and breaking off their relationship on the spot. His ex-wife, Dr. Lesley Webber, wasted no time confronting Monica in one of General Hospital’s most unforgettable showdowns.
In the Quartermaine courtyard, Lesley unleashed her fury, calling Monica a liar and a cheat, and insisting Rick had only been with her because he thought the baby was his. Monica fought back, arguing that Rick’s love for her was about passion, not fatherhood. The confrontation ended with Lesley delivering a stinging slap across Monica’s face, sealing one of the soap’s most iconic rivalries.
Deep down, Monica knew she had lost Rick, but Alan was determined to keep her by his side. Although she resented his manipulations, Monica also knew where she belonged—inside the walls of the Quartermaine mansion. After all, as fans loved to remind Alan, it was Monica’s house.
Monica’s Breast Cancer & Emily’s Adoption
In 1994, General Hospital head writer Claire Labine created one of the most groundbreaking stories in daytime history with Monica Quartermaine’s breast cancer storyline. The powerful arc followed Monica through her diagnosis, a breast examination, and ultimately a mastectomy, with the scripts carefully written to include real-life statistics and information designed to encourage viewers to get their own checkups. It was a storyline that didn’t just entertain—it educated, sparking important conversations among fans about women’s health.
For Monica, the diagnosis struck at the very core of her life. She feared for her medical career, her marriage to Alan Quartermaine, and her future. Yet instead of tearing them apart, the crisis ultimately brought Alan and Monica closer than ever, strengthening their turbulent but enduring love story. Leslie Charleson’s raw and emotional performance earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1995, adding to her earlier nominations in 1980, 1982, and 1983.
While Monica survived her battle with cancer, her dear friend Paige Bowen (Riley Steiner) was not as fortunate. Paige’s death left behind her daughter, leading to another unforgettable chapter in Quartermaine history. In a poignant and heartfelt twist, Alan and Monica adopted the young girl, bringing Emily Quartermaine (originally Amber Tamblyn, later Natalia Livingston) into their family. Emily’s adoption gave Monica a new sense of purpose, allowed her to channel her grief into love, and expanded her role as the heart of the Quartermaine family.
Murder She Wrote?
While Monica survived her breast cancer battle, the storyline set the stage for another round of turbulence in her marriage to Alan. Believing Alan no longer found her desirable after her diagnosis, Monica began an affair with Dr. Pierce Dorman (Tuc Watkins). The affair quickly fizzled, but Dorman wasn’t ready to let go. Instead, he retaliated by filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against her, a scandal that rocked Port Charles and threatened the reputation of the powerful Quartermaine family. The courtroom drama only got messier when Ned Ashton (Wally Kurth), Monica’s nephew by marriage, revealed that he and Monica had once had an affair—a shocking confession that left both the family and viewers reeling.
When Monica was found guilty of sexual harassment, she took matters into her own hands. In a daring move, she injected Dorman with sodium pentothal—better known as truth serum—to force him to admit he had lied. Her risky gamble eventually worked, but the damage to her reputation was already done. The storyline took a dark turn when Dorman was later murdered by one of his drug contacts, a criminal known as The Tin Man. Though Pierce was gone, the scars from the scandal lingered, and Monica’s relationships—especially within the Quartermaine family—would never be quite the same.
What were some of your favorite Monica memories over the years? Sound off in the comments below.
