Miriam Margolyes, the beloved and vibrant actress renowned for her portrayal of Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter series, recently opened up about her health, revealing that she feels she doesn’t have much time left.
Just a month after being hospitalized due to a chest infection, Miriam graced the cover of British Vogue in celebration of Pride month, appearing nude.
“I appreciate my face,” she expressed to the magazine. “I find it kind, warm, and friendly. However, I’m not fond of my body. I have a sagging belly and slightly crooked legs. I’m not happy with that.”
The iconic British-Australian actress, celebrated for her memorable performances and straightforward honesty, also touched on how her unhealthy eating habits have contributed to her deteriorating health.
“I’ve restricted my life because of my cravings for fudge, chopped liver, and cheesecake,” the 83-year-old actress admitted. “These silly indulgences. I shouldn’t have been so indulgent. I should have shown more self-control.”
In a conversation with Elizabeth Day on the How to Fail Podcast, Margolyes reflected on her struggles: “The one battle I haven’t won, and should have, is with my weight. I feel like a mass of blubber. I am overweight,” she shared, referencing her role in The Age of Innocence.
She added, “It feels like such a loss. Is a cream bun, a piece of chocolate, or a serving of chopped liver really more important than your health and how you present yourself?”
Her health has been steadily declining over the last few years.
Cow valve.
Following her transcatheter aortic valve replacement in 2023, Margolyes has been contemplating mortality and the time that lies ahead of her.
True to her nature, the actor continues to be witty and lively, facing life with her usual strength and humor.
“I’m still a bit of a child,” says #MiriamMargolyes. “I can’t resist naughtiness.” In #BritishVogue’s July 2023 issue, the actor is at her very best – cheeky, wonderfully candid, and an absolute breath of fresh air. https://t.co/BF9nqdsNdL pic.twitter.com/sLPtbGBgnj
— British Vogue (@BritishVogue) June 13, 2023
In October 2023, she shared with Jessie and Lennie Ware on the Table Manners podcast, “I now have a cow’s heart.”
“Not the entire heart, though. I’ve had my aortic valve replaced with one from a cow,” the Age of Innocence actress elaborated, foreseeing that she might soon need a wheelchair for mobility.
“I struggle with a bad back. I’m likely going to end up in a wheelchair soon. You really have to accept what life throws your way,” she remarked.
She wasn’t too far off.
Living with a disability.
Alongside her heart issues, the stage and screen star is also dealing with mobility difficulties due to spinal stenosis, which has greatly affected her everyday life.
In a recent chat with Radio Times, Margoyles, who is officially registered as “disabled,” confessed that she now depends on a mobility scooter to get around and is coming to terms with the reality of her diminishing physical capabilities.
Yet, she approaches it all with a sense of humor and honesty: “When I started to experience physical decline, I would tell directors and producers, please don’t show me getting out of a car or crawling up stairs,” said Margoyles, who lent her voice to the charming sheepdog in the 1995 film Babe.
Beneath her lightheartedness, the actress acknowledges that the physical limitations of aging can be “restrictive and disheartening,” and while she wishes to “take on roles that aren’t just sitting in wheelchairs,” she admits she’s “not strong enough.”
Financial worries.
Although Margolyes is widely recognized for her boldness and self-assured demeanor, she confesses that her deteriorating health has led to financial anxieties.
“I’m concerned that I won’t have sufficient funds for caregivers when I eventually become paralyzed or face whatever challenges lie ahead. I’m setting aside money to ensure I can afford assistance for myself and my partner,” she shared, referring to Heather Sutherland, her companion since 1968.
In her conversation with Radio Times, she added, “Since we don’t have children, I need to ensure that I’ll receive the care I’ve grown used to.”
Margolyes, celebrated for her candid and often humorous perspectives on life, openly addresses the topic of death. Instead of fearing it, she appears to embrace the journey ahead with a sense of tranquility.
“I’m aware that my time may be limited – I might only have five or six years left, if not sooner,” the Call the Midwife star shared with the Telegraph. “I’m reluctant to step away from performing. It brings me so much joy.”
Although spinal stenosis and heart surgery have posed physical challenges, Margolyes’ spirit remains resilient. One valuable lesson we can take from her is that tackling obstacles with humor and bravery is the best approach.
Feel free to leave your best wishes for this remarkable actress in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this story so her other fans can join in!