Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, expressed gratitude for the care their mother received at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and requested privacy as they mourn her loss.
Maggie Smith began her acting career in the early 1950s, gaining fame through numerous stage performances in prominent venues across England. She earned significant recognition for her role as Desdemona in "Othello," which led to her first Academy Award nomination. Smith won her first Oscar for "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" in 1970 and received a total of six nominations throughout her life, winning again for her performance in "California Suite" in 1978.
In the 2000s, younger audiences came to know her as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" films, where she appeared in seven of the eight movies. She also captivated fans as Violet Crawley, the matriarch of the Crawley family in "Downton Abbey," a role that earned her three Primetime Emmys, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Golden Globe.
Smith faced health challenges, including a cancer diagnosis in 2007, but she announced her recovery in 2009. She is survived by her two sons and five grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and a profound impact on the world of acting.