Dame Maggie Smith, the legendary British actress known for her iconic roles in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter series, has passed away at the age of 89.
Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, confirmed that she died peacefully in hospital on Friday, September 27, 2024, surrounded by close friends and family.
"An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end," the statement said. "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.
"We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time."
She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning. 😪
— Toby Stephens News 🔱 (@tobysnews_) September 27, 2024
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.#MaggieSmith pic.twitter.com/ypCfbQaWgV
Smith’s career spanned over seven decades, during which she earned two Academy Awards for her performances in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) and California Suite (1978). She also won multiple Emmys and a Tony Award, placing her among a select group of performers to achieve the prestigious "Triple Crown of Acting."
While her early career featured notable roles in Othello and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, in more recent years she gained new fans as Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter and as the formidable Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey.
Tributes have poured in from across the world, with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling her a “true national treasure” and others praising her extraordinary talent and wit.
The family expressed their gratitude for the care provided by the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital during her final days.