Home Certifiedscandal54

The Two Great Loves And Tragic Final Years Of Dame Maggie Smith: A Look At Her Husbands, Robert Stephens And Beverley Cross

• minute read
Contents

The enduring curiosity surrounding Dame Maggie Smith's personal life, particularly her two marriages, has intensified following her passing in September 2024 at the age of 89. As of December 21, 2025, the world continues to reflect on the remarkable career and often dramatic private life of the legendary actress, whose personal journey was marked by both turbulent heartbreak and a profound, lasting love. Her relationships with her two husbands, fellow actor Robert Stephens and playwright Beverley Cross, offer a poignant glimpse into the woman behind the formidable characters like Violet Crawley and Professor McGonagall.

The narrative of Dame Maggie Smith’s love life is a captivating story of two vastly different marriages: the first, a passionate but volatile union that produced her two sons, and the second, a quiet, deep connection that she described as the great love of her life. Her final years were spent in a state of "deafening silence" after the loss of her second husband, a grief she carried with grace until her own recent death, making her marital history a central part of her enduring legacy.

Dame Maggie Smith: A Biographical Profile and Marital Timeline

Dame Maggie Smith, a titan of the stage and screen, had a private life that was often as dramatic as her on-screen roles. Understanding her career trajectory provides context for the men who shared her life.

  • Full Name: Margaret Natalie Smith
  • Born: December 28, 1934, in Ilford, Essex, England
  • Died: September 27, 2024, in London, England (Age 89)
  • Occupation: Actress (Film, Television, and Theatre)
  • Notable Roles: Violet Crawley (Downton Abbey), Professor Minerva McGonagall (Harry Potter film series), Jean Brodie (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie)
  • Awards: Two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, four Primetime Emmy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, and a Golden Globe, making her one of the few actresses to achieve the "Triple Crown of Acting" (Oscar, Emmy, Tony).
  • First Husband: Sir Robert Stephens (Married 1967, Divorced 1975)
  • Second Husband: Beverley Cross (Married 1975, Died 1998)
  • Children: Two sons with Robert Stephens—Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin (both actors).

The Volatile First Marriage to Sir Robert Stephens (1967–1975)

Maggie Smith's first trip down the aisle was with the acclaimed British actor Robert Stephens. The couple married in 1967, a union that brought together two of the most dynamic talents of the National Theatre era.

Their marriage was notoriously turbulent and brief, lasting only eight years. Stephens was a brilliant but troubled man, and their relationship was reportedly rocked by his struggles with drinking and infidelity. The pressures of two major acting careers, coupled with personal struggles, ultimately proved too much for the marriage to sustain.

Despite the difficulties, this union produced her two sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, who have both gone on to become successful actors themselves. The divorce was finalized in 1975, a necessary but painful end to a passionate, albeit destructive, chapter in her life.

  • Robert Stephens' Profile: A celebrated stage and screen actor, known for his work at the Royal National Theatre. He was knighted in 1995.
  • Key Challenge: His struggles with alcohol and extramarital affairs created significant strain on the family.
  • Legacy: The father of her two sons, securing her lineage in the acting world.

Beverley Cross: The Enduring Love and 'Deafening Silence' (1975–1998)

Just months after her divorce from Robert Stephens, Maggie Smith married her second husband, the English playwright and screenwriter Beverley Cross, in 1975. This relationship was the complete opposite of her first, representing a deep, quiet, and enduring companionship that she cherished for 23 years.

Interestingly, Smith and Cross's connection dated back decades before their marriage. They first met in 1952 when Cross was an undergraduate at Oxford University. Cross was so smitten that he proposed to her then, but she turned him down. He later proposed again when they were both married to others.

When Smith became available after her first divorce, Cross, who was married to his second wife at the time, quickly left his marriage to be with her, recognizing that she was the love of his life. Their marriage was a period of stability and happiness, with Cross providing the peace and support that had been missing in her previous relationship. They remained married until his death in 1998.

  • Beverley Cross' Profile: A respected playwright and screenwriter, known for works like the libretto for the musical Half a Sixpence and the screenplay for Clash of the Titans.
  • Duration: 23 years (1975–1998).
  • Nature of Relationship: Described as her great love, offering stability and companionship.

The Profound Grief and Final Years of Widowhood

The death of Beverley Cross in 1998 left Dame Maggie Smith "utterly stricken." She often spoke about the immense void he left in her life, a grief that she never fully overcame. In a rare public reflection on her personal life, she described the profound loneliness of her widowhood.

"I don't know how one lives alone. It is a deafening silence," she once said. This statement perfectly encapsulates the depth of her loss and the quiet struggle of her later years. For over 25 years, she lived alone, finding solace primarily in her work, which she admitted helped to stop her from thinking about the loss.

Her work in the Harry Potter films as Professor McGonagall and, later, as the indomitable Dowager Countess Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey, provided both a creative outlet and a distraction from her personal sorrow. These iconic roles, which brought her a new generation of fans, were performed during a period of deep personal reflection and solitude.

The Legacy of Love and Loss on Her Children and Career

The intricate tapestry of Maggie Smith's marital life had a direct impact on her children and her career. Her two sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, have both spoken about their mother's life and the challenges she faced.

Toby Stephens, a well-known actor in his own right, is a living testament to her first marriage. Chris Larkin, who changed his surname to avoid constant comparison to his famous parents, also built a successful acting career. Both sons, along with her five grandchildren, were a source of immense joy and focus in her later years, especially after the death of Beverley Cross.

The stability provided by Beverley Cross allowed Smith to focus on her late-career renaissance, securing her status as a global icon. The deep, lasting love she found in her second marriage, contrasted with the drama of her first, provides a compelling narrative of finding true peace. Her final years, spent in the "deafening silence" of a home without her beloved husband, underscore the notion that even the most formidable figures are vulnerable to profound human loss. Her passing in 2024 has led to a renewed appreciation for her entire life story, including the two men who stood beside her.

maggie smith husband
maggie smith husband

Detail Author:

  • Name : Raegan Bednar MD
  • Username : areynolds
  • Email : wfahey@little.org
  • Birthdate : 1998-08-23
  • Address : 334 Chase Vista Rosaleeshire, SD 36227-7608
  • Phone : 1-331-758-4857
  • Company : Koch PLC
  • Job : Marketing VP
  • Bio : Non similique enim quia numquam quo reprehenderit. Eum eveniet totam officia. Officia illo iste iste eos vel autem deleniti. Aut debitis sed et est qui illo beatae.

Socials

facebook:

tiktok:

Random Posts