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.

Corey Comperatore Is The Man That Lost His Life At The Trump Rally. He Didn’t Deserve This

The 50-year-old was slain by the sharpshooter who made an attempt to kill Donald Trump. Corey Comperatore, a former volunteer fire chief from Pennsylvania, has been identified as the guy who was shot dead by a sniper during an attempt on US President Donald Trump’s life.

At a PA Trump event, Comperatore, 50, perished in the horrific tragedy while trying to protect his daughter.

The former president and two other individuals were hurt by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks before he was shot and killed by police.

Dawn Comperatore Schafer, Corey’s sister, revealed the heartbreaking news on Facebook and added, “My brother, Corey Comperatore, lost his life due to the PA Trump Rally.” The post was uploaded on Sunday.”The one man we loved the most was killed by our hatred for another man.”

Corey’s wife and daughter also talked about their memories of that day. Allyson, his daughter, recalled, “He protected my body from the bullet that was aimed at us.” He was devoted to his family. Her mother called her father “a real-life superhero,” saying, “He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us.”

“Yesterday, what turned out to be such an exciting day for my husband especially, turned into a nightmare for our family,” said Helen, his wife, in an expression of her sorrow. It is inexcusable what my darling girls had to see. That’s what I had to do. He passed away the hero he was always.

It will never be easy for those who knew and loved Corey Comperatore to forget his bravery or his devotion to his family.

His awful death is a sobering reminder of the futility of violence and the enduring power of a father’s love.

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