Dame Maggie Smith, star of Downton Abbey and Harry Potter, has passed away at the age of 89, her family has confirmed.

The two-time Oscar-winning actress, celebrated as one of the greatest talents of her generation, began her career on stage at the Oxford Playhouse and remained a prominent figure in film and theater for decades.

“She passed away peacefully this morning, Friday, September 27, in the hospital, surrounded by loved ones,” the family’s statement read. “We would like to thank the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their exceptional care and kindness during her final days.”

Smith’s sons expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support but asked for privacy at this time.

Throughout her illustrious career, Smith appeared in iconic films such as Sister Act, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and The Miracle Club. In 2009, she revealed her battle with breast cancer while filming Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as Professor Minerva McGonagall.

Reflecting on her illness, Smith once said, “I was relieved to be the age I was because by now you feel like it’s all over anyway.”

Smith, who had been married twice, mourned the loss of her second husband, screenwriter Beverley Cross, until her own passing.

Though she rarely made public appearances, her last sighting at Wimbledon stunned fans. Elegantly dressed in a navy blue shirtdress with a dot pattern and accessorized with pink lipstick, her appearance was widely praised.

Tributes have since poured in. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described her as a “national treasure,” while Downton Abbey co-star Hugh Bonneville highlighted her “sharp wit, sharp eye, and formidable talent.”