When you think of General Hospital, you think of drama, power struggles, love affairs, betrayals, and families torn apart and stitched back together. And standing at the very center of it all—sometimes pulling the strings, sometimes cutting them entirely—has been Tracy Quartermaine. For over 50 years, Jane Elliot’s portrayal of the formidable Quartermaine matriarch has not only defined her career but has also left an indelible mark on daytime television.

Now, in 2025, Elliot is finally receiving the honor that many argue should have come years ago: the Gold Circle Award at the 52nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. This distinction, reserved for legends with at least 50 years of service in daytime television, has been awarded to only a handful of stars. Jane Elliot is this year’ssolerecipient, a fact that makes the moment even more monumental.

Tracy Quartermaine first entered the General Hospital canvas in 1978, immediately shaking up the Quartermaine dynasty with her trademark mix of cunning manipulation and razor-sharp dialogue. Unlike many soap heroines of her time, Tracy was unapologetically ambitious. She didn’t beg for love or forgiveness—she demanded respect, power, and her rightful place in the Quartermaine empire.What makes Tracy Quartermaine’s story so groundbreaking is how she blurred the lines between villain and heroine. She was ruthless in business, manipulative in family squabbles, and often shockingly cold in her decision-making. Yet, viewers couldn’t help but root for her. Why? Because Tracy was real. She wasn’t perfect, and she didn’t pretend to be.

Elliot brought layers to a character who could have easily been a one-note villainess. Instead, Tracy became a portrait of ambition, resilience, and survival—traits that resonated with audiences far beyond Port Charles. She showed that women could be powerful and complicated, and that being unlikeable didn’t mean being unworthy of love.For many fans, Elliot’s Gold Circle Award feels like more than recognition—it feels like a coronation. Tracy has always seen herself as the queen of the Quartermaine family, and now, Jane Elliot is being crowned as the queen of daytime television.The timing is symbolic. General Hospital has been undergoing significant changes, with new storylines reshaping Port Charles for the next generation. As the show moves forward, honoring Elliot bridges the gap between past and future. It reminds viewers that the heart of the show has always been built on legacies—legacies like Tracy’s.

So, what happens now? For one, this award ensures that Jane Elliot’s contribution will never fade from memory. It also puts pressure on General Hospital’s writers and producers to continue honoring the Quartermaine family and Tracy’s influence in the stories to come. Fans are already buzzing with speculation: Will this recognition pave the way for another Tracy comeback? Or is this truly the end of an era?Regardless of what the future holds, one thing is certain: Port Charles will never be the same without Tracy. And yet, because of Jane Elliot’s unmatched portrayal, Tracy Quartermaine will live on forever in the hearts of viewers and in the very fabric of General Hospital.Fifty years is more than a career milestone—it’s a lifetime of storytelling, of shaping television, of making audiences laugh, cry, and gasp in shock. Jane Elliot’s Gold Circle Award is not just a well-deserved honor. It’s a moment in daytime history, a recognition of a woman who redefined what it meant to be powerful on screen.Tracy Quartermaine has always demanded the spotlight. And now, Jane Elliot gets to keep it, not as a character, but as herself—a legend crowned at last.