Martina Navratilova mourns the death of Harry Potter and Downtown Abbey fame Dame Maggie Smith

Martina Navratilova mourned the loss of Harry Potter fame Dame Maggie Smith, who passed away at 89 on September 27, 2024. The former World No. 1 also recalled the moments she shared with Smith at Wimbledon over the years.

Dame Maggie Smith, popular for her role as Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series, was one of the most prolific British actresses with a career spanning seven decades.

She won two Oscars for her role in California Suite in 1979 and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970. She also owned almost half a dozen Bafta awards, two Golden Globes, and two Tonys.

On September 27, 2024, her sons, Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens, released the news of her passing.

"She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother." (via publicist Claire Dobbs)

The news left the world mourning for the loss of the British stage and screen legend. Martina Navratilova, the former Czech-American tennis player, also left a few words for the late actress in her X post.

"Just loved her"

The post under which she left her tweet featured Dame Maggie Smith as Dowager Countess of Grantham, and one of her popular dialogues from Downtown Abbey.

"I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately."

Dame Maggie Smith breathed her last at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

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Dame Maggie Smith shared moments with Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon

: Martina Navratilova during her Mixed Invitational Doubles match at Wimbledon 2024 - Source: Getty

A fan posted a painting of Smith, which prompted Martina Navratilova to share another story of her bond with the former actress. The two legends often engaged in sweet and fun moments at Wimbledon.

"That’s really good! Spent some time with her at Wimbledon over the years and she was always so classy and sweet. And of course funny," said Martina Navratilova on her X post.

Interestingly, Smith was last spotted at 2023 Wimbledon in July last year. Her family also revealed that the late British actress was 'an intensely private person'.

Suki Stephens, her daughter-in-law, also accompanied her to the tennis Grand Slam in London. Smith donned a dotted black dress and paired it with a long denim shirt jacket, complimenting her grey wavy locks.

The Princess of Wales, Kate, and Harry Potter fame Emma Watson were also spotted in the Royal Box alongside Smith.