On 27 September, the world lost a true icon. Dame Maggie Smith passed away at the age of 89. The actress, who is widely known for playing Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter series, and for her role as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey, passed away peacefully. Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, announced:
"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."
For now, it is unknown why Maggie Smith was in the hospital and what the cause of her death was.
Maggie Smith had a series of health issues throughout her life, however she overcame them all. She had breast cancer in 2009 and made a full recovery.
She also suffered from an immune disorder called Graves disease at the age of 33. It is a disorder in which the thyroid glands produce too much of the hormone.
As treatment for the condition, Maggie Smith and to undergo not only radio therapy, but also optical surgery as the condition affected her eyes