Dame Maggie Smith dies aged 89 – Fans startled by her final public appearance
Dame Maggie Smith, Downtown Abbey and Harry Potter star, died aged 89, her family confirms.
A two time Oscar winner and a legend of the stage and screen, Smith was regarded one of the greatest actors of her time. She started her acting career on stage at the Oxford Playhouse and went on to make a name for herself and remained under the limelight for a stunning number of years.
The news of her sudden passing was shared by her two sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin.
“She died quietly this morning, Friday, September 27, in the hospital. A deeply private individual, she passed away surrounded by loved ones,” their joint statement read.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days,” it continued.
“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time,” Smith’s sons concluded.
Throughout her long and rich career, Smith appeared in feature films such as Sister Act, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and more recently Thaddeus O’Sullivan’s The Miracle Club.
Back in 2009, Smith disclosed with the public that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She opened up about receiving treatments and filming scenes as Professor Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at the same time.
“I used to go to treatment on my own, and nearly everybody else was with somebody,” she told Tim Teeman. “I wouldn’t have liked that. Why would you want to make anybody sit in those places?”
She had also opened up about her own mortality. “I was relieved to be the age I was because by now you feel like it’s all over anyway.
“That’s why I hated seeing young people receiving treatment [at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London]. I couldn’t bear that, it didn’t seem fair. To be honest, you feel so ghastly you wouldn’t mind dying a lot of the time.”
Smith was married twice. Her second husband, screenwriter Beverley Cross, whom she considered the great love of her life, passed away in 1998, leaving her mourning his loss until her own passing.
She wasn’t known as someone who was spotted in public often, so her last public appearance left her fans startled.
It was at the Wimbledon men’s singles final that Smith was spotted in public. Dressed elegantly, in a navy blue shirtdress with a stylish dot pattern on it accessorized with a blue jacket and black leather heels, she stunned many.
The photos of her and her stunning choice of outfit, which she had completed with a pink lipstick, received plenty of comments. “So elegant!” one person commented. “You [look] so beautiful,” another added.
Following her passing, tributes came pouring in. Prime Minister Keir Starmer was among the first to share his condolences, saying Smith “was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come.”
Hugh Bonneville, fellow Downtown Abbey co-star, said: “Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent.
“She was a true legend of her generation and thankfully will live on in so many magnificent screen performances. My condolences to her boys and wider family.”
Smith’s passing represents an immense loss for the acting world. May she rest in peace.
Elon Musk’s Robot Kiss: A PR Stunt or a Glimpse into the Future of Technology
Elon Musk, renowned for his pioneering work in electric vehicles and space exploration, has recently made headlines for his interactions with humanoid robots. His social media posts featuring him kissing these robots have left many people puzzled and wondering about the future of human-robot relationships. Some are even speculating about a potential robot wife that Musk has hinted at.
The images, originally taken by artist Pablo Guerrero, have recently gone viral after Twitter user Daniel Marven shared them online. The pictures show Elon Musk engaging in intimate interactions with four different female robots, and their release has coincided with the debut of Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus, taking its first steps. This has only added to the fascination surrounding the situation.
Although the images have caused a stir on social media, it’s crucial to bear in mind that things aren’t always as they seem. The circumstances surrounding these unusual photographs indicate that there may be more to the situation than initially meets the eye. It’s unclear whether these displays of affection are a genuine expression of romantic interest or part of a broader marketing or artistic initiative.
Mr. Marven wrote: ’It is the first robot that has been manufactured specifically designed with artificial intelligence, with the personality and the characteristics of the female that he dreams of…which is not found in any normal person, because of course, there is no normal person that has all the required specifications.”
According to him, ’Catnilla’ is a solar-powered robot that doesn’t require charging and is equipped with sensory capabilities that allow her to experience emotions such as happiness and sadness.
In response to the unique AI-generated portraits of Musk, Twitter users have been swift to offer their reactions, igniting a flurry of comical remarks and conjecture. One individual wittily remarked, “Well, well well… what have we here?”
During Tesla’s recent shareholders’ meeting, CEO Elon Musk shared an awe-inspiring video of the company’s Optimus robots in action, highlighting remarkable advancements made since the prototype’s debut at last year’s Tesla AI Day.
The footage showcases five Optimus robots walking and flexing their capabilities, including item retrieval, task completion, and the utilization of Tesla gadgets. The impressive demonstration serves as a testament to Tesla’s continued commitment to innovation and technological advancement.
As Elon Musk continues to push the envelope with his innovative ideas and technological advancements, the world is left wondering — was the robot kiss a mere publicity stunt or a sign of things to come? Whatever the answer may be, one thing is certain — the future is looking brighter than ever before.
Preview photo credit danielmarven / twitter
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