Judi Dench Mourns Loss of Longtime Friend Maggie Smith

Dench expressed deep grief over Smith's passing during the Cheltenham Literature Festival, reflecting on their decades-long friendship and shared career.

Dame Judi Dench was visibly emotional when discussing the recent deaths of her close friends, Maggie Smith and Barbara Leigh-Hunt, at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
Maggie Smith, celebrated for her roles in 'Harry Potter' and 'Downton Abbey,' passed away at 89, prompting tributes from prominent figures including King Charles III and Daniel Radcliffe.
Dench and Smith's friendship began in the 1950s at the Old Vic theatre and included collaborations in films like 'A Room with a View' and 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.'
During the festival, Dench struggled to articulate her feelings, likening grief to a source of energy, a sentiment she previously shared after her husband's death.
Dench honors her deceased friends by planting trees in her Surrey garden, with each tree symbolizing a cherished memory of her loved ones.