Dame Maggie Smith, the iconic British actress famous for her roles in “Harry Potter” and “Downton Abbey,” has sadly passed away at the age of 89.

“She leaves behind two sons and five cherished grandchildren who are heartbroken by the loss of their remarkable mother and grandmother,” the siblings shared in their statement.

The brothers expressed their gratitude to the “wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their attentiveness and kindness during her last days,” and also thanked fans for their supportive messages. They requested privacy for the family during this time.

Smith’s illustrious career as an actress challenged Hollywood norms, especially as she achieved major success in her 70s with her parts in the “Harry Potter” series and “Downton Abbey.” She became known for her delightful and memorable performances of unique, mature characters, earning multiple Oscar nominations.

Born Margaret Natalie Smith on December 28, 1934, in Essex, just northeast of London, she later relocated to Oxford with her family when her father, a pathologist, took a position at the university. At the young age of 17, she began her acting journey at the local theatre.

Her breakthrough came in 1956 with the Broadway show “New Faces.” She gained recognition with her 1958 role in the British crime film “Nowhere to Go,” receiving a BAFTA nomination. By 1965, she had earned her first Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Desdemona in the movie adaptation of “Othello.” Despite her fame, Smith was known for being quite private.

Reflecting on her public persona, she once quipped, “I wish I could just go into Harrods and order a personality. It would make life so much easier.”

Throughout her life, Smith experienced two marriages: first to British actor Robert Stephens, and later to playwright Beverley Cross, who passed away in 1999. She had two sons from her first marriage, both of whom also pursued acting careers.

Maggie Smith’s notable films and television series include ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘Harry Potter’

Smith was widely loved in both the United States and the UK for her numerous unforgettable performances that racked up an impressive number of awards nominations.

Her career spanned several decades with many iconic roles, including winning an Academy Award in 1969 for “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and another Oscar in 1978 for “California Suite.” She earned additional Oscar nominations for “Othello,” the 1972 film “Travels with My Aunt,” her supporting role in “A Room with a View,” and in 2001 for “Gosford Park.”

In 1990, Queen Elizabeth II honored her with the title of Dame.

Smith received three Golden Globe awards, with a total of 12 nominations, and she won four Emmy awards among nine nominations. Towards the end of her career, she reached a new audience as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the “Harry Potter” film series, based on J.K. Rowling’s hit books.

She also gained recognition for her role in the PBS miniseries “Downton Abbey,” which aired for six seasons from 2010 to 2015. In the final film based on the series, “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” her character sadly passed away due to an illness in the concluding moments.