Dame Maggie Smith was one of the greatest actresses of her time. Whether you knew her from *Harry Potter* or *Downton Abbey*, her absence will be deeply felt.

Keep reading to find out about her last public appearance just a few months ago!

Actress Dame Maggie Smith, best known for her role as Professor McGonagall in *Harry Potter* and Violet Crawley in *Downton Abbey*, has passed away at the age of 89, her family shared.

Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, released a joint statement saying, “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.”

The statement continued, “She passed away peacefully in the hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. A very private person, she was surrounded by friends and family at the end. She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren who are heartbroken by the loss of their amazing mother and grandmother.”

The family also thanked the hospital and its staff, saying, “We want to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and kindness during her final days.”

The family ended the statement by saying, “We are grateful for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

The news of her death is a big surprise. The last time she was seen in public was last year at the Wimbledon men’s singles finals. She dressed up nicely for the event, wearing a navy blue shirt dress with a chic dotted pattern. She paired it with black leather heels and a blue overcoat. She also carried a matching navy leather bag over one shoulder.

Her hair was styled in soft waves, and she wore pink lipstick to finish her look.

Since it was rare for the actress to make public appearances, fans were naturally surprised to see her out.

When pictures of her were posted online, people were happy to see her. One person commented, “So elegant!” Another said, “You look so beautiful,” and someone simply added, “Amazing.”