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.
Matthew McConaughey Makes a Rare Appearance With His 3 Kids and They Are His Copies
54-year-old actor Matthew McConaughey was joined by his family at a recent gala. Along with his wife, his two sons and daughter, who are rarely seen in the public eye, were photographed beside him and stole the show.
Matthew and Camila McConaughey were all smiles at the gala in Austin, Texas. The gala is part of a joint effort called Mack, Jack & McConaughey (MJ&M), which includes Matthew McConaughey, football coach Mack Brown, and country artist Jack Ingram, to empower kids.
Matthew opted for a classic navy suit paired with a white shirt for the night. While his wife chose an elegant off-shoulder black dress with a sequined bodice.
The couple was also joined by their children — Levi, Vida, and Livingston. The McConaughey boys, Levi and Livingston, were dressed in sharp black suits. While Vida, echoing her mother’s style, wore a pale pink strappy gown.
Seeing the family of 5 smile brightly, many people noticed the same thing in the photos. They pointed out how the three McConaughey kids resemble their father. “…the older son has pretty much the same face as him,” commented a person. “That youngest one seems to have Matthews ’eye sparkle’ in mum’s ’eye shape and color’,” added another.
Michael Jackson’s rarely-seen kids also recently made a public appearance together, see their photos here.
Preview photo credit officiallymcconaughey / Instagram
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