Harry Potter fans have been left stunned by a shocking coincidence regarding the date of Maggie Smith’s death.
It was revealed that the actress, who played Professor Minerva McGonagall in seven of the eight films, passed away inside a hospital on Friday morning aged 89.
In a twist of fate, it came exactly one year after the death of her co-star Sir Michael Gambon, who starred as Albus Dumbledore.
The actor died in hospital aged 82 following a bout of pneumonia and featured in six of the eight movies based on Rowling’s books.
Noticing the coincidence, fans of the franchise said it was an ‘extraordinary twist of fate’ as the new circulated on X.
Harry Potter fans have been left stunned by a shocking coincidence regarding the date of Maggie Smith ‘s death (pictured in June 2023)
It was revealed that the actress, who played Professor Minerva McGonagall in seven of the eight films, passed away inside a hospital on Friday morning aged 89
They wrote: ‘A year ago we raised our wands to say goodbye to Michael Gambon and today we raise our wands to say goodbye to Maggie Smith’; ‘The day when Michael Gambon died exactly a year ago too, such coincidence’;
‘What an extraordinary twist of fate! Both Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall share the same day of passing, adding an even more mystical aura to their legacies’; ‘Maggie Smith dying on the same day Michael Gambon died last year, my wizarding world is crumbling down’; ‘And yes they’re indeed reunited again the greatest wizards of all time’;
‘The same day, different years’; ‘Professor Minerva McGonagall & Professor Albus Dumbledore passes away on the same date one year apart, your students at #Hogwarts will always be grateful to you.’
Maggie’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief from fellow actors and Harry Potter fans around the world, with Huge Bonneville leading tributes to a ‘true legend of her generation’.
The beloved star won over Harry Potter fans later in life, when she appeared in the blockbuster franchise as the quick-witted, kind and formidable Professor McGonagall.
In 2010 she was central to the success of ITV series Downton Abbey, in her Emmy-award winning role as the acerbic Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, which she continued to play in the films.
Her heartbroken sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, announced her death ‘with great sadness’ in an emotional statement on Friday.
They paid tribute to their ‘extraordinary’ mother, an ‘intensely private person’ who was ‘with friends and family at the end’.
In a twist of fate, it came exactly one year after the death of her co-star Sir Michael Gambon, who starred as Albus Dumbledore
The actor died in hospital aged 82 following a bout of pneumonia and featured in six of the eight movies based on Rowling’s books (pictured in 2010)
Noticing the coincidence, fans of the franchise said it was an ‘extraordinary twist of fate’ as the new circulated on X
They shared: ‘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 27th September.
‘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.
‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.
‘We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.’
As Dumbledore, Sir Michael became world famous after taking the part following the death of fellow Irishman Richard Harris.
Maggie’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief from fellow actors and Harry Potter fans around the world (pictured in 2019)
Sir Michael said when he played the headmaster of Hogwarts, he would ‘just stick on a beard and play me’, calling it ‘no feat’ – although his millions of fans disagreed.
A statement on behalf of his wife Lady Anne Gambon and son Fergus, issued by publicist Clair Dobbs, said: ‘We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon.
‘Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82.
‘We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love.’
