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Dame Maggie Smith has died aged 89, her family has revealed in a heartbreaking statement.
The acting legend, best known for her roles as Professor McGonagall and Violet Crawley Downton Abbey, passed away “peacefully” in hospital earlier today.
Tributes have already begun to pour in with many hailing her as a “true British icon”.
Gyles Brandreth is among to share his shock at the sad news, posting on X: “The saddest news: the death of Dame Maggie Smith marks the end of a golden era & a quite extraordinary life. She was a truly great actress, “one of the greats” & simply the best company: wise, witty, waspish, wonderful. One of a kind in every way & consequently irreplaceable.”
In a statement issued via their publicist, her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens said: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.
“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday, September 27.
“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.
Dame Maggie Smith has died aged 89 (Image: Getty)
Maggie and children Chris and Toby (Image: Getty)
“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.
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”
The actress’s career has spanned more than 70 years after she first appeared on stage in 1952.
Since then, she has become a critically acclaimed star of both the stage and screen, winning two Oscars – Best Actress in a Leading Role for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and Best Supporting Actress for A Room with a View – among others.
Dame Maggie Smith died in hospital on Friday (Ian West/PA) (Image: PA Wire)
Dame Maggie Smith with Judi Dench (Image: Getty)
Dame Maggie married actor Robert Stephens in 1967 and the pair share two sons, Chris and Tobby, before divorcing in 1975.
She then married playwright Alan Beverly Cross that same year and the pair remained together until his death in March 1998.
When asked in 2013 if she was lonely, she replied, “it seems a bit pointless, going on on one’s own, and not having someone to share it with”. She has five grandchildren.
