Legendary British actress, an icon of film and theater, passed away this Friday at the age of 89, her family confirmed. With a career spanning over six decades, Smith left an indelible mark on Great Britain and the entertainment world.

She won two Academy Awards for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1970) and California Suite (1979), in addition to four other Oscar nominations and eight BAFTA awards from the British Academy. 

Leading the tributes, Great Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, “She was loved by many for her immense talent and became a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come.” 

In the Harry Potter saga, portrayed the sharp-tongued Professor Minerva McGonagall, famous for her pointed witch’s hat and strict demeanor toward the young wizards at Hogwarts—a role that cemented her international fame across generations.

She also shone in the hit series Downton Abbey as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, known for her witty remarks and commanding presence throughout all six seasons of the British drama. 

The actress’s legacy

Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, Smith’s children, said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in the hospital early this morning, Friday, September 27.

She was a very private person and spent her final moments surrounded by friends and family. She leaves behind two children and five grandchildren, who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”

They also thanked the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and requested privacy during this difficult time. 

Smith’s career began in theater, earning her first BAFTA nomination for the 1958 melodrama Nowhere to Go. In 1963, Laurence Olivier offered her the role of Desdemona alongside him in Othello with the National Theatre of Great Britain, which was later adapted into a film, earning her another Academy Award nomination.

Among her most notable roles were A Room with a View (1985) and Tea with Mussolini (1999), where she shared the screen with Judi Dench, as well as The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. 

With her passing, Great Britain loses one of its most emblematic figures, while fans of Harry Potter and international cinema fondly remember the actress who embodied strength, intelligence, and elegance in every role she played.