<p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><span lang="ar">British artist Maggie Smith passed away today at the age of 89.</span> </p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:406/446;" src="https://foto.haberler.com/haber/2024/09/27/harry-potter-in-minerva-mcgonagall-i-maggie-smith-17868119_4837_m.jpg" alt="" ></figure><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);"><span lang="ar">Harry Potter star Maggie Smith dies</span></span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span lang="ar">Her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, announced the news in a statement that the "Harry Potter" and "Downton Abbey" star passed away peacefully in hospital on Friday, surrounded by her family.</span></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span lang="ar">Her children said in a statement about the British artist's passing: "She was a very private person, and was with friends and family in her last moments. She leaves behind two loving sons and five grandchildren who are deeply saddened by the loss of this exceptional mother and grandmother."</span> </p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:486/273;" src="https://imagescdn.mtv.com.lb/articles/887011604708.jpg?width=533&quality=75" alt="" ></figure><h3 style="margin-right:auto;;text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);"><span lang="ar">Who is Maggie Smith?</span></span></h3><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span lang="ar">Maggie Smith is one of Britain's most important stars, and her artistic career has spanned seven decades.</span></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span lang="ar">The artist received two Oscars in recognition of her great contributions to the world of art.</span></p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span lang="ar">The British star is best known for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter film series and also for her role in Downton Abbey.</span> </p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1280/720;" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EkSdHpEfT-0/maxresdefault.jpg" alt="" ></figure><p style="margin-right:0px;;text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The artist began her career on stage, while she received her first BAFTA nomination for the 1958 drama film Nowhere to Go.</p><p style="margin-right:0px;;text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The year 1963 was the year of her greatest breakthrough in theatre and fame, when she was offered the role of Desdemona by Laurence Olivier, and played the lead role at the National Theatre.</p><p style="margin-right:0px;;text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Two years later, the play was made into a film featuring the original cast, and Maggie Smith was nominated for an Academy Award. </p><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1600/1121;" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/92/212292-050-95525A0C/Publicity-still-television-series-Maggie-Smith-Downton-Abbey.jpg" alt="" ></figure>