Maggie Smith’s final photograph before her death, aged 89 (Image: Juergen Teller/Courtesy of Loewe)
The final photograph taken of saw the veteran actor posing in luxury goods with a smile on her face. The shoot debuted late last year and saw the actress starring alongside Josh O’Connor, Mike Faist and Greta Lee.
On Friday (September 27), it was announced by Maggie’s sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens that their mother had died, aged 89. Following the death of the two-time actress at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, they pair wrote: “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. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end.”
Almost a year before her death, she starred in luxury Spanish fashion house Loewe’s spring 2024 pre-collection campaign. In one of the three images, Maggie beamed while sporting an oversized fur coat.
She also held aloft one of the brand’s signature calfskin Puzzle Bags in her hands. The leather item usually retails for £2650.
Dame Maggie was best known for her roles in Harry Potter and Downton Abbey (Image: GETTY)
Following the mother-of-two’s death, , with ’s Gyles Brandreth writing: “The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life.
She was a truly great actress, ‘one of the greats’ & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful,” he continued. “One of a kind in every way & consequently irreplaceable.”
Her co-star Hugh Bonneville wrote she was a “true legend of her generation”.
“Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent,” he told the .
The Violet Crawley favourite was also honoured by , with a spokesperson taking to X, formerly known as Twitter to write: “We’re saddened to hear that actor Dame Maggie Smith, best known for the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89.
“Dame Maggie was a legend of British stage and screen, winning five BAFTAs as well as a BAFTA Special Award and BAFTA Fellowship during her highly acclaimed career.”
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Dame Maggie Smith portrayed Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter movie franchise. (Image: WARNER BROS.)
Maggie, born in Essex in 1934, took to the stage for the first time at the Oxford Playhouse in 1952 to portray Viola in an adaptation of ’s Twelfth Night.
After making her Broadway debut in the musical revue New Faces of ‘56 she went on to win roles in major motion pictures such as Sister Act and Gosford Park.
She also portrayed Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film adaptations.
Maggie appeared in all instalments between 2001 and 2011, apart from Deathly Hallows Part 1.
In 2016, Smith claimed that despite spending decades in the public eye she still found it “very odd” to be recognised by fans.
“I’ve spent a very long time without that happening to me,” the national treasure told
“And it’s a very, very strange sensation…Sometimes it’s very nice. But sometimes, you just would like to be on your own, to do things on your own, without thinking about whether you’re going to be stalked or asked to pose for one of those wretched cellphone things.”