Dame Maggie Smith, the legendary British actress whose iconic performances spanned over six decades, passed away Friday at the age of 89. Known for her formidable presence on stage and screen, Her contributions to cinema, television, and theatre made her one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation.

Her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, announced her passing in a statement, revealing that she died early Friday in a London hospital. "She leaves behind two sons and five loving grandchildren, all devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother," the statement read.

Her career was defined by her versatility, wit, and ability to command every scene she was in. From her early Oscar-winning role as the unorthodox teacher Jean Brodie in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969), to her later role as the sharp-tongued Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey and the beloved Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series, her legacy is indelible.

Born Margaret Natalie Smith on December 28, 1934, in Ilford, on the outskirts of London, her passion for acting developed during her time at the Oxford Playhouse School. Her breakthrough came when the esteemed Laurence Olivier recognized her talent and invited her to join the National Theatre in 1965. From there, she became a dominant figure in British theatre, known for her sharp intellect and emotional depth.

Her Oscar win for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was followed by another Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in California Suite (1978). Her career boasted an impressive array of accolades, including multiple BAFTA, Tony, and Golden Globe awards. Her role in A Room with a View (1985) also earned her international acclaim, while her witty turn in Gosford Park (2001) added yet another Academy Award nomination to her name.

Even in her later years, she remained a beloved figure. Her portrayal of the Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey (2010-2015) endeared her to a new generation of fans, with her sharp one-liners and comedic timing becoming hallmarks of the series. In 2012 alone, she received three Golden Globe nominations: one for Downton Abbey, another for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and the last for Quartet.

Known for her acerbic humor and an unapologetic stance on the industry, she often poked fun at her own career. Describing some of her roles as "a gallery of grotesques," she once joked that her role as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise was her “pension.”

Despite her lightheartedness, those who worked with her spoke of her unmatched talent. Director Richard Eyre, who worked with her on several productions, said, “She was intellectually the smartest actress I’ve ever worked with. You have to get up very, very early in the morning to outwit Maggie Smith.”

Co-stars such as Richard Burton were quick to highlight how she could dominate any scene. Burton humorously remarked that in The VIPs (1963), she didn’t just take over a scene but "committed grand larceny."

Her performances, whether serious or comedic, were always marked by her extraordinary ability to bring even the most mundane dialogue to life. In a revival of Noel Coward’s Hay Fever (1964), Smith delivered the line, "This haddock is disgusting," so perfectly that it became a legendary moment in the production. However, she reflected, “The moment you say something is funny, it’s gone, really.”

While her performances were larger than life, Maggie Smith was known to be intensely private. She avoided the public eye outside of her work and was reticent to discuss her craft. Simon Callow, who acted with her in A Room with a View, recounted his first meeting with Smith, where his praise made her withdraw. “She never wanted to talk about acting,” Callow explained, noting that she feared discussing her process might make it “disappear.”

Her private nature extended to her personal life. She married fellow actor Robert Stephens in 1967, with whom she had two sons. After their divorce in 1975, she married playwright Beverley Cross, who passed away in 1998.

Maggie Smith leaves behind an unparalleled legacy in the world of acting. She was awarded a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) in 1990 for her contributions to the arts and continued to act in celebrated roles well into her later years.

Her presence on stage and screen was nothing short of magnetic. For generations of fans, she will forever be remembered for her unforgettable roles, sharp wit, and the grace with which she approached her art.

As her co-stars, directors, and audiences reflect on her remarkable career, one thing is certain: the world has lost one of its brightest stars, but her legacy will live on in every performance she brought to life.