Dame Maggie Smith has passed away aged 89 (Image: Getty Images)
Dame Maggie Smith had expressed her determination to keep working and had ruled out retirement just years before her passing. The was announced on Friday, leaving her family and fans in mourning.
The Oscar winner passed away peacefully in hospital, surrounded by her loved ones, with her heartbroken sons breaking the news. Maggie, known for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey, shared two sons, actors Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, with her first husband Robert Stephens.
In a 2016 interview, Chris revealed his mother’s views on ageing and her wishes if she were to develop dementia. Despite struggling with various health issues, including a heart scare, breast cancer, and an autoimmune disorder affecting her eyes, Maggie had made it clear to her loved ones that she would rather end her life at Dignitas than suffer in pain.
According to Maggie Smith: A Biography by Michael Coveney, Chris Larkin stated, “There’s no chance of her ever going into a home. She’s one of those who says, ‘Take me to Switzerland if anything starts going south and I can’t remember your names’.”
Chris and Toby, sons of the legendary actress Dame Maggie Smith, have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the NHS staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their exceptional care during their mother’s final days. The brothers announced the sad news of their mother’s passing through a statement from their publicist: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September.”, reports .
Maggie shared sons Chris and Toby with former husband Robert Stephens (Image: N/A)
They continued to honour their mother’s memory, saying: “An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.”
The statement concluded with a plea for privacy and an acknowledgment of the support they have received: “We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
Dame Maggie Smith was a fan favourite across her acting career which spanned over decades (Image: PA)
Dame Maggie Smith’s remarkable career was adorned with numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards for her performances in ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’ and ‘California Suite’, along with Oscar nominations for ‘Othello’, ‘Travels with My Aunt’, ‘Room With A View’, and ‘Gosford Park’.
Dame Maggie Smith, adored for her unforgettable roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films and Violet Crawley in ITV’s Downton Abbey, has amassed a huge fan base. She returned to these roles in spin-off films launched in 2019 and 2022.
Despite her towering success, Dame Maggie has always been private about her personal life, often shunning the limelight and bypassing awards ceremonies. She has not declared any intentions to retire, with her most recent film, The Miracle Club, hitting screens just last year, boasting a star-studded cast that includes Kathy Bates and Laura Linney.