Maggie Smith Biography: Age, Family, Husband, Movies & Career Highlights in 2025

Maggie Smith, born as Margaret Natalie Smith, is a renowned English actress best known for her versatile roles in both film and theater. She has had a career spanning over six decades and is recognized as one of Britain’s most distinguished actresses. Maggie Smith has won several prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and four Emmy Awards.

Maggie was born to a public health pathologist, Nathaniel Smith, and a secretary, Margaret Hutton. The family moved to Oxford when Maggie was four years old. It was here that she began to cultivate an interest in acting. She attended the Oxford High School before enrolling in the Oxford Playhouse School, where her career began in earnest.

Full Name	Margaret Natalie Smith
Date of Birth	December 28, 1934
Age	89 years (as of 2024)
Place of Birth	Ilford, Essex, England
Nationality	British
Occupation	Actress
Years Active	1952–present
Notable Roles	Professor McGonagall (Harry Potter), Violet Crawley (Downton Abbey)
Spouse(s)	Robert Stephens (m. 1967–1975), Beverley Cross (m. 1975–1998)
Children	2 (Chris Larkin, Toby Stephens)
Awards	2 Academy Awards, 4 BAFTA Awards, 3 Golden Globe Awards, 4 Emmy Awards
Damehood	1990

Career Highlights

Maggie Smith’s acting career began on stage in the 1950s, performing at the Oxford Playhouse. By the 1960s, she had joined the Royal National Theatre and gained critical acclaim for her performance in plays such as “The Private Ear” and “The Public Eye.” Her breakout role came with her portrayal of Desdemona in “Othello” (1965), which earned her an Academy Award nomination.

Smith has been featured in numerous films over the years, with notable performances in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (1969), for which she won her first Academy Award for Best Actress, and “California Suite” (1978), earning her second Oscar.

In recent decades, Maggie Smith has become well-known for her portrayal of Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series and Violet Crawley in the popular TV series “Downton Abbey.”

Personal Life and Family

Father: Nathaniel Smith
Mother: Margaret Hutton
Siblings: Two older twin brothers, Alistair and Ian
Spouse: Maggie Smith was married twice. She was first married to actor Robert Stephens in 1967, with whom she had two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, both actors. The couple divorced in 1975. She later married playwright Beverley Cross in 1975, who passed away in 1998.

Smith has been candid about her personal life, discussing her battle with Graves’ disease in the 1980s and her fight against breast cancer in 2007, from which she recovered.

Awards and Achievements

Academy Awards: 2 wins (Best Actress for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and Best Supporting Actress for “California Suite”)
BAFTA Awards: 4 wins
Golden Globe Awards: 3 wins
Emmy Awards: 4 wins

Maggie Smith’s contribution to the entertainment industry was recognized with a Damehood in 1990, becoming Dame Maggie Smith.

Conclusion

Maggie Smith is an icon of British theater and film, known for her incredible range and longevity in the entertainment industry. From her early days on stage to becoming an international star, she has captivated audiences with her memorable performances. Despite personal health struggles, Maggie remains active in acting, continuing to inspire with her resilience and talent.

(FAQs) about Maggie Smith

1. How old is Maggie Smith?

As of 2024, Maggie Smith is 89 years old, born on December 28, 1934.

2. What is Maggie Smith best known for?

Maggie Smith is best known for her roles as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series and Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham in the television series Downton Abbey. She is also celebrated for her extensive stage career and performances in films such as The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and California Suite.

3. How many Academy Awards has Maggie Smith won?

Maggie Smith has won two Academy Awards:
- Best Actress for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)
- Best Supporting Actress for California Suite (1978)

4. Was Maggie Smith married?

Yes, Maggie Smith was married twice:
- First to Robert Stephens, a British actor, from 1967 to 1975.
- Later to Beverley Cross, a playwright, from 1975 until his death in 1998.

5. Does Maggie Smith have children?

Yes, Maggie Smith has two sons:
- Chris Larkin (born in 1967), an actor.
- Toby Stephens (born in 1969), also an actor known for his roles in Black Sails and Die Another Day.

6. What awards has Maggie Smith won besides the Academy Awards?

Maggie Smith has won several other prestigious awards, including:
- 4 BAFTA Awards
- 3 Golden Globe Awards
- 4 Emmy Awards
She was also made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1990.

7. Is Maggie Smith still acting?

Yes, Maggie Smith continues to act, though she has slowed down in recent years. She has appeared in television and film projects, with one of her latest notable roles being in Downton Abbey.

8. Did Maggie Smith have any health issues?

Yes, Maggie Smith has had health challenges in the past. She was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in the 1980s and battled breast cancer in 2007, from which she successfully recovered.

9. What is Maggie Smith’s net worth?

As of 2024, Maggie Smith’s estimated net worth is around $18 million, accrued from her long and successful acting career in theater, television, and film.

10. Where was Maggie Smith born?

Maggie Smith was born in Ilford, Essex, England, on December 28, 1934.

11. What are some of Maggie Smith’s most famous movies?

Some of Maggie Smith’s most famous movies include:
- The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)
- California Suite (1978)
- A Room with a View (1985)
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
- The Harry Potter series (2001–2011)