Maggie Smith was born as Margaret Natalie Smith in 1934 in Ilford, Essex. Her father was a pathologist, and her mother was a secretary. Although her family wanted her to pursue an academic career, Maggie developed an interest in the performing arts at a young age. She attended Oxford High School. Her interest in acting led her to the Oxford Playhouse at a young age. She then began theater work at the Oxford University Drama Society in London.

Theater Career

Smith's career began on stage in 1952. In the late 1950s, she performed at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Her interpretations of Shakespearean roles quickly attracted the attention of critics. Her performances in iconic roles such as Lady Macbeth, Desdemona, Portia, and Cleopatra garnered praise.

She also worked for a long time with prestigious companies such as the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Film Career

Smith's film career began with the film Nowhere to Go (1958). However, her breakthrough came with the film The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), for which she won a Best Actress Award. She then won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film California Suite (1978), becoming one of the few actors to win the award in two different categories.

Other notable films:

• The Secret Garden (1993)

• A Room with a View (1985)

• Sister Act (1992)

• Gosford Park (2001)

However, she achieved worldwide recognition for her role as the just Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series. The character's composure and intelligence throughout the series captivated audiences.

Television Career

In the 2010s, Maggie Smith returned to the screen in the British period drama Downton Abbey as Violet Crawley, the Countess of Grantham. The character's sarcastic wit and sharp tongue were prominent in the series. She won four Primetime Emmy Awards for the role.

Personal Life

Smith married actor Robert Stephens in 1967, but their marriage ended in 1975. They had two sons: Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens (both actors). Smith prefers to keep her private life out of the public eye.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988 but recovered after treatment. She was diagnosed with breast cancer again in 2007 and overcame it.

Honors and Death

In 1990, she was officially honored by the British Royal Family with the Dame title. In 2014, she received Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Maggie Smith passed away at the age of 89 on September 27, 2024, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. Her family did not disclose the cause of death; however, it is known that Smith had struggled with health issues such as Graves' disease and breast cancer in the past.