Dame Maggie Smith, a venerable icon of stage and screen, has passed away at the age of 89, her sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens have confirmed.

Smith’s illustrious career, which spanned over seven decades, saw her become one of the few performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, with top honors in film, television, and theatre.

Dame Maggie’s remarkable talent was recognized early when she won an Academy Award at just 34 years old, becoming one of only five actresses to have won Oscars in both the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories.

Her roles ranged from the sharp-tongued Professor McGonagall in the « Harry Potter » films to the imperious Violet Crawley in « Downton Abbey, » performances that not only won her a Golden Globe but also two consecutive Emmy Awards.

A Life in Acting

Born on December 28, 1934, in Ilford, Essex, Dame Maggie was educated at Oxford High School for Girls and the Oxford Playhouse School.

She made her stage debut at 18 and was soon after invited by Laurence Olivier to join the newly-formed Royal National Theatre Company in London.

Her career was marked by a series of acclaimed performances in films such as « The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie » and « California Suite, » which each earned her an Oscar.

The Private and the Public

In a statement released through their publicist, Larkin and Stephens shared that Dame Maggie « passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September, » and was accompanied by friends and family in her final moments.

They highlighted her intense privacy and the profound impact she had on her family, leaving behind two sons and five grandchildren.

The family expressed their gratitude towards the staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and kindness during Dame Maggie’s final days.

Despite the accolades and affection from fans worldwide, Dame Maggie was candid about the satisfaction she derived from her later roles.

She once remarked to ES Magazine, “I am deeply grateful for the work in (Harry) Potter and indeed Downton (Abbey) but it wasn’t what you’d call satisfying.

I didn’t really feel I was acting in those things.” This reflection reveals the high standards she set for herself and her constant pursuit of challenging roles that pushed her artistic boundaries.