Miriam Margolyes Reflects on Health, Aging, and Legacy at 83
Beloved actress Miriam Margolyes—best known for her iconic role as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films—has opened up with trademark candor about her health and thoughts on mortality, admitting that she feels she may not have much time left.
Just weeks after recovering from a chest infection that required hospitalization, Margolyes appeared on the cover of British Vogue for Pride Month, embracing vulnerability and authenticity. In a striking and bold photoshoot, she appeared nude, celebrating her face while honestly acknowledging discomfort with her body.
“I appreciate my face,” she told the magazine. “It’s warm, kind, and friendly. But I’ve never liked my body.”
At 83, the acclaimed British-Australian actress continues to be refreshingly open about the realities of aging.
She attributes much of her declining health to indulgent eating habits, saying, “I’ve restricted my life because of my cravings—fudge, chopped liver, cheesecake. I should’ve shown more self-control.”
Speaking on the How to Fail podcast with Elizabeth Day, she reflected on her lifelong struggle with weight.
“It’s the one battle I never won,” she said. “Sometimes I feel like just a mass of blubber.” Her reflections are laced with both honesty and regret: “Is a cream bun or a piece of chocolate really worth the cost to your health?”
In 2023, Margolyes underwent a transcatheter aortic valve replacement, which she humorously described as getting a “cow’s heart”—not the entire organ, just the valve.
“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
Since then, she’s been coming to terms with increasing physical limitations. “I struggle with a bad back. I may soon need a wheelchair,” she admitted, though she faces these changes with courage and humor.
Margolyes is also living with spinal stenosis, a condition that affects her mobility. Now officially registered as disabled, she relies on a mobility scooter to get around. She shared with Radio Times that she tries to avoid roles that require visible physical effort, such as climbing stairs or getting out of a car, due to the strain on her body.
Despite these challenges, she remains active and passionate about performing. “I don’t want to stop acting. It still brings me joy,” she told The Telegraph, estimating she may only have “five or six years left—if that.”
In addition to health concerns, she has expressed worries about the future, especially in terms of financial planning.
With no children and her longtime partner Heather Sutherland by her side, Margolyes is preparing for the possibility of needing long-term care.
“I’ve got to be practical. I’m saving to ensure I’ll have enough for caregivers,” she said.
Known for her fearless honesty, humor, and vibrant spirit, Miriam Margolyes continues to inspire fans worldwide by meeting life’s challenges head-on. Whether she’s voicing a charming character in Babe or reflecting on the reality of aging, she reminds us of the importance of facing life—and death—with grace, wit, and resilience.
Feel free to leave your messages of support for this extraordinary actress, and share her story so others can celebrate her life and legacy.
