Dame Maggie Smith, renowned for her incredible talent and versatility, has sadly passed away at the age of 89, as confirmed by her family. Born Margaret Natalie Smith on December 28, 1934, in Ilford, Essex, England, she is celebrated as one of the greatest actresses of her generation. Her remarkable career spanned over seven decades, showcasing her exceptional range in theater, film, and television.
The news of her passing was shared in a statement by her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin. Smith’s early life was filled with a passion for performance. She grew up in Oxford, where her father worked as a pathologist and her mother was a secretary. She attended Oxford High School for Girls, but her academic pursuits soon took a backseat to her love for acting.
Maggie Smith began her professional career on stage in the early 1950s, making her debut at the Oxford Playhouse in 1952. In 1963, she joined the Royal National Theatre under the direction of the legendary Laurence Olivier. Her stage performances, especially her acclaimed portrayal of Desdemona in Othello, earned her numerous awards and established her as a leading actress of her time.
Smith made a successful transition to film, with a breakthrough role in the 1969 movie The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which earned her her first Academy Award for Best Actress. She later won a second Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in California Suite (1978), where she starred alongside Michael Caine.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Smith gained new generations of fans with her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series. Beyond her work in films and theater, Smith achieved great success on television, most notably for her portrayal of the formidable Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey.
Her contributions to the arts were recognized with numerous accolades, including being appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1990 and receiving the title of Companion of Honour in 2014.
Now, her family has confirmed the sad news of her passing. In a statement reported by the BBC, her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin expressed: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in the hospital early this morning, Friday, September 27. An intensely private person, she was surrounded by friends and family at the end.
She leaves behind 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 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unwavering kindness during her final days. We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
