Legendary Actress Maggie Smith Dies at 89

Veteran British actress Maggie Smith, renowned for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the *Harry Potter* films, has passed away at the age of 89. According to her publicist, Smith died peacefully on September 27.

In a heartfelt statement, her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens announced, “With great sadness, we confirm the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday, 27th September, surrounded by friends and family. She leaves behind two sons and five adoring grandchildren, all deeply grieving the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother. We would like to express our immense gratitude to the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and kindness during her final days. We appreciate the kind messages and support and request privacy during this difficult time.”

Smith enjoyed an illustrious career spanning over seven decades, known for her sharp wit and memorable performances, such as Violet Crawley in *Downton Abbey*.

Born Margaret Natalie Smith in December 1934 in Ilford, Essex, to a Scottish mother and a pathologist father, she moved to Oxford at the age of four. Smith began studying acting at the Oxford Playhouse, and at 17, she landed her first role as Viola in *Twelfth Night*. She went on to perform in *Cinderella*, *Rookery Nook*, and *The Government Inspector*.

In 1958, she made her screen debut in *Nowhere to Go* and had already established a strong presence in theatre. Her breakthrough came in 1969 with her role in *The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie*, for which she won her first Academy Award. Smith later earned her second Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in *California Suite*, alongside Michael Caine.

Throughout her long career, she starred in several beloved films, including *Sister Act*, *The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel*, and *Quartet*. In 2001, Smith took on the role of Professor McGonagall in the *Harry Potter* series, appearing in seven of the eight films, earning worldwide recognition for the character.

She also won three Emmy Awards for her portrayal of Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in *Downton Abbey*.

Smith married actor Robert Stephens in 1967, and the couple had two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, before divorcing in 1974. She later married playwright Beverley Cross in 1975, who passed away in 1998.

In recognition of her contributions to the arts, Maggie Smith was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1990 and was later honored as a Companion of Honour (CH) in 2014.