Maggie Smith's son Toby Stephens shares how his mother never saw herself as “universally loved”
Toby Stephens, one of the two sons of the late Dame Maggie Smith, has shared his thoughts on his first Christmas without his mother, who passed away in September at 89.
Smith, revered for her roles in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter films, never fully grasped the extent of her impact, Stephens revealed. “She was universally loved and admired, but she never allowed herself to believe it,” he shared, reflecting on her modesty and lack of self-confidence despite a storied career.
Stephens recalled her final days, expressing gratitude for her long life yet mourning her absence deeply. “She had been ill for a while, and it was hard to see that. But she had a good innings, nearing her 90th year,” he said. “On a selfish level, I miss having her in my life, being able to talk to her.”
Smith, revered for her roles in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter films, never fully grasped the extent of her impact, Stephens revealed. “She was universally loved and admired, but she never allowed herself to believe it,” he shared, reflecting on her modesty and lack of self-confidence despite a storied career.
Stephens recalled her final days, expressing gratitude for her long life yet mourning her absence deeply. “She had been ill for a while, and it was hard to see that. But she had a good innings, nearing her 90th year,” he said. “On a selfish level, I miss having her in my life, being able to talk to her.”
