Dame Maggie Smith dies aged 89 – Fans startled by her final public appearance

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.

4 Shocking Behaviors of Entitled Husbands and the Powerful Lessons Their Wives Taught Them

When husbands think they run the world, their wives are quick to remind them who’s really in charge! From couch crises to lingerie smackdowns, these tales show that “happy wife, happy life” isn’t just a saying—it’s essential for survival!

Welcome to the Marriage Mishaps Hall of Fame, where husbands’ egos deflate faster than dollar-store balloons! Our sassy wives turn domestic dramas into comedy gold, proving that behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes. Grab your popcorn as we watch husbands learn that karma can come gift-wrapped in granny panties! 🤣

Tale 1: “Sorry Honey, Can’t Pick You Up… My Ego’s In The Way!”
After a week-long conference in Singapore, all I wanted was to see my husband Jake at the airport. Instead, he texted to say he was helping Katie from accounting move her couch.

I called his best friend Chris for backup and, while Jake enjoyed his couch-moving adventures, I prepared a romantic dinner for Chris and me. When Jake walked in, he was met with a candlelit table and Chris sipping his special wine.

Jake squirmed through dinner while I praised Chris’s reliability over his “furniture emergency.” The next time Katie needed help, Jake mysteriously became terrified of furniture. Turns out, a little pasta and petty revenge can work wonders!

50 Shades of Granny: A Lingerie Lesson in Humility
My husband Rob had been saving for a vintage Mustang, which meant I was stuck wearing boring cotton underwear. Then I discovered a group chat where he’d shared a photo of my “granny panties” for laughs.

Instead of sulking, I involved his mother, who took me shopping for a designer dress that cost his car fund. I surprised Rob at home, flaunting my new look and sending a selfie to his friends. Now, his “car fund” is officially the “Happy Wife Fund,” and I framed my granny panties as a reminder!

The Day My Man Flu Became My Mother-in-Law’s Boot Camp
While I was bedridden with the flu, my husband Pete hosted a Super Bowl party in our bedroom. When he asked me to grab snacks, I called his mom, Eleanor.

She arrived like a whirlwind, turning our home into a military operation. While I relaxed, Pete and his friends deep-cleaned everything. Now, every time I sniffle, Pete turns into a caring nurse, proving that a mother-in-law’s intervention can fix “selective caretaking syndrome.”

My 30th Birthday Surprise
I hinted for weeks about my upcoming 30th birthday, but Pete ditched me for a concert with his co-worker Emma. Instead of being upset, I snagged backstage passes and performed onstage, calling out Pete for celebrating with another woman.

The crowd loved it, and now Pete treats my birthday like a national holiday. Emma? She’s mysteriously developed a dislike for concerts.

The Last Laugh!
Let’s face it: marriage is a game of “Who Can Be The Most Petty?” And ladies, we’re winning! Whether it’s turning airport snubs into dinner shows or granny panties into victory flags, we show that revenge is best served with sass. So, husbands, remember: your wife can turn a ‘guys night’ into a TED Talk about your most embarrassing moments in a heartbeat!