Dame Maggie Smith dies aged 89 – Fans startled by her final public appearance
Dame Maggie Smith, Downtown Abbey and Harry Potter star, died aged 89, her family confirms.
A two time Oscar winner and a legend of the stage and screen, Smith was regarded one of the greatest actors of her time. She started her acting career on stage at the Oxford Playhouse and went on to make a name for herself and remained under the limelight for a stunning number of years.
The news of her sudden passing was shared by her two sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin.
“She died quietly this morning, Friday, September 27, in the hospital. A deeply private individual, she passed away surrounded by loved ones,” their joint statement read.
“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,” it continued.
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time,” Smith’s sons concluded.
Throughout her long and rich career, Smith appeared in feature films such as Sister Act, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and more recently Thaddeus O’Sullivan’s The Miracle Club.
Back in 2009, Smith disclosed with the public that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She opened up about receiving treatments and filming scenes as Professor Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at the same time.
“I used to go to treatment on my own, and nearly everybody else was with somebody,” she told Tim Teeman. “I wouldn’t have liked that. Why would you want to make anybody sit in those places?”
She had also opened up about her own mortality. “I was relieved to be the age I was because by now you feel like it’s all over anyway.
“That’s why I hated seeing young people receiving treatment [at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London]. I couldn’t bear that, it didn’t seem fair. To be honest, you feel so ghastly you wouldn’t mind dying a lot of the time.”
Smith was married twice. Her second husband, screenwriter Beverley Cross, whom she considered the great love of her life, passed away in 1998, leaving her mourning his loss until her own passing.
She wasn’t known as someone who was spotted in public often, so her last public appearance left her fans startled.
It was at the Wimbledon men’s singles final that Smith was spotted in public. Dressed elegantly, in a navy blue shirtdress with a stylish dot pattern on it accessorized with a blue jacket and black leather heels, she stunned many.
The photos of her and her stunning choice of outfit, which she had completed with a pink lipstick, received plenty of comments. “So elegant!” one person commented. “You [look] so beautiful,” another added.
Following her passing, tributes came pouring in. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was among the first to share his condolences, saying Smith “was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come.”
Hugh Bonneville, fellow Downtown Abbey co-star, said: “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent.
“She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances. My condolences to her boys and wider family.”
Smith’s passing represents an immense loss for the acting world. May she rest in peace.
“Not Natural”, Jane Fonda Rocks Bold Red Lipstick On the Red Carpet, But All Eyes Are on Her Face-Lifting
Jane Fonda wowed at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, showing off her new longer hair and bold red lipstick. Fans loved her stunning look, though some couldn’t help but point out the signs of her recent face-lift.
Fonda wowed in an elegant black ensemble adorned with silver floral decorations gracing the torso.
Atop her chic suit, she donned a captivating tan and black animal motif long coat, which she effortlessly wrapped around her shoulders.
The silver-haired actress sported her signature waved hairstyle with a side parting, and she complemented the dark attire with vibrant red lipstick.
Most people were amazed by Jane Fonda’s beauty and flooded the comments with praise for her radiant look. “Jane Fonda always knows how to steal the show with her elegant and timeless style. She truly is a classic beauty who never fails to impress on the red carpet”, someone wrote.
Others chimed in with comments like “She’s remarkable” or “Looking fresh and clean,” praising her appearance.
However, some noticed changes in her face, prompting theories about possible surgery. One person wrote, “If I had her money, I could look like that too. It’s not natural. But it looks great,” while another commented, “Amazing what a good plastic surgeon can do…” Another user remarked, “It doesn’t look like her at all.”
Despite what some people have said about Jane expressing regret in the past about getting a facelift.
Preview photo credit JEP Celebrity Photos / Alamy Stock Photo
Leave a Reply