Harry Potter fans are stunned by a shocking coincidence involving the date of Maggie Smith’s death.
It was revealed that the actress, who played Professor Minerva McGonagall in seven of the eight films, died in hospital on Friday morning aged 89.
In a twist of fate, it came exactly a year after the death of her co-star Sir Michael Gambon, who starred as Albus Dumbledore.
The actor died in hospital at the age of 82 after suffering from pneumonia and starred in six of the eight films based on Rowling’s books.
Fans of the franchise noticed the coincidence and said it was an “extraordinary twist of fate” when the new one started circulating on X.
Harry Potter fans are stunned by a shocking coincidence involving the date of Maggie Smith’s death (pictured June 2023)
It was revealed that the actress, who played Professor Minerva McGonagall in seven of the eight films, died in 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 Michael Gambon died exactly one year ago, what a coincidence’;
‘What an extraordinary twist of fate! Both Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall share the same day of death, adding an even more mystical aura to their legacy’; ‘Maggie Smith dies the same day Michael Gambon died last year, my wizarding world is falling apart’; ‘And yes, they are indeed reunited again, the greatest magicians of all time’;
‘Same day, different years’; ‘Professor Minerva McGonagall and Professor Albus Dumbledore died on the same date, a year apart, your students at #Hogwarts will always be grateful.’
Maggie’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief from fellow actors and Harry Potter fans around the world, with Huge Bonneville paying tribute 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 smart, kind and formidable Professor McGonagall.
In 2010, she was central to the success of the ITV series Downton Abbey, in her Emmy-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 a year after the death of her co-star Sir Michael Gambon, who starred as Albus Dumbledore.
The actor died in hospital aged 82 after suffering from pneumonia and starred in six of the eight films based on Rowling’s books (pictured in 2010).
Fans of the franchise noticed the coincidence and said it was an “extraordinary twist of fate” when the new one started circulating on
They shared: ‘It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Friday 27 September.
‘She was an intensely private person and was ultimately with friends and family. She is survived by two sons and five loving grandchildren, devastated by the loss of their special mother and grandmother.
‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and continued 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 rose to fame after taking on the role 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 that when he played the headmaster of Hogwarts he would ‘just grow a beard and play me’, calling it ‘not an achievement’ – 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, after a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82.
‘We ask that you respect our privacy during this painful time and thank you for your expressions of support and love.’
