Dame Maggie Smith's son reflects on the late icon's life: 'She didn't believe she was loved'

Maggie Smith passed away in September at the age of 89, leaving behind her two sons and five grandchildren. Although Dame Maggie was loved worldwide for her roles in the Harry Potter and Downton Abbey series, it seems she never truly accepted how much she was respected and admired.

Dame Maggie was married twice in her life. She had two sons, Christopher and Toby, with her first husband, Robert Stephens, whom she was married to from 1967 until 1975. Robert passed away in 1995 at the age of 64. Her sons expressed their deep sadness over her death and requested privacy as they mourned.

Toby, 55, has recently spoken about his memories of his late mother and his mixed feelings about the public's reaction to her passing. He shared that while his family has been comforted by the outpouring of love for the actress, he regrets that she never allowed herself to accept the admiration she earned through her work on screen.

He told The Telegraph that it has been deeply moving for his family to witness how much his mother was loved and admired by everyone. However, he expressed that she never fully believed in the extent of her admiration, as she was just like everyone else and lacked the self-confidence to acknowledge it.

Reflecting on his mother's final days and the family's journey after her passing, he mentioned that it had been difficult to watch her struggle with illness. Despite that, he acknowledged that she had lived a full life, reaching her 90th year. On a personal level, he expressed how much he misses having her around and being able to talk to her.

Toby and Chris shared the news of their mother's passing through a statement, expressing their deep sorrow: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday, 27 September. An intensely private person, she was surrounded by friends and family in her final moments. She leaves behind two sons and five beloved grandchildren, who are heartbroken by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”

In their statement, Toby and Chris also expressed gratitude for the care their mother received, saying: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unwavering kindness during her final days. We are deeply grateful for all your kind messages and support, and we kindly ask that you respect our privacy during this time.”

The beloved star was laid to rest last month in a private funeral ceremony attended by close family at Mortlake Crematorium in Kew. Following Dame Maggie’s passing, tributes flooded in from across the globe. Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe fondly remembered her for her "fierce intellect" and "gloriously sharp tongue."