British acting legend Dame Maggie Smith had made it clear she had no intention of slowing down or retiring, even in her later years.
The star whose death was announced today at the age of 89 as left her family and fans in mourning.
The Oscar winner died peacefully in hospital, surrounded by 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 wishes if she were to develop dementia, stating she’d rather go to Dignitas than suffer in pain. Maggie had faced various health issues, including a heart scare, breast cancer, and an autoimmune disorder affecting her eyes.
Read more – Harry Potter stars who have died as Dame Maggie Smith passes away aged 89
According to Maggie Smith: A Biography by Michael Coveney, Chris said, “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 Dame Maggie Smith, have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the NHS staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their exceptional care and compassion as they announced the sad passing of their mother on Friday afternoon. In a statement released through their publicist, the brothers shared: “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 the Mirror.
They continued to honour their mother’s spirit, 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.”
In their closing remarks, they asked for privacy while acknowledging the support they’ve received: “We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
Dame Maggie Smith’s remarkable career was studded with 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 always been a private figure. Despite her stardom, she often shied away from the limelight and was known to skip awards ceremonies.
She reprised her iconic roles in spin-off films released in 2019 and 2022. The actress, who hasn’t announced any retirement plans, starred in her latest film, The Miracle Club, just last year alongside big names like Kathy Bates and Laura Linney.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
