Harry Potter fans notice heart-wrenching detail after Dame Maggie Smith dies: 'This broke me'

After the heartbreaking loss of Dame Maggie Smith, it's been revealed she passed away exactly one year after her Harry Potter co-star Sir Michael Gambon. The Dumbledore actor died on September 27 last year at the age of 82, with Smith dying on the same day this year at the age of 89.

While Smith had an exceptional career spanning decades, she will perhaps always be best remembered for her role as the no-nonsense Professor Minerva McGonagall and Downton Abbey’s sharp-tongued matriarch Violet. Gambon took over the role of Professor Dumbledore in 2004's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban after the death of Richard Harris, who played the wizard before his death in 2002 at the age of 72.

Maggie Smith dies aged 89

Smith's sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin confirmed the news of her passing, sharing in a statement, "It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith. She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September."

"An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren, who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother."

They continued, "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. We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time."

A representative for Gambon revealed last year that the actor died "peacefully" on the evening of September 27.

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"We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon," the statement on behalf of his wife and son began. "Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia. Michael was 82."

They finished by saying, "We ask that you respect our privacy at this painful time and thank you for your messages of support and love."

Harry Potter fans react to gut-wrenching detail

Harry Potter fans have taken to social media to share their reactions to the surprising detail that Smith and Gambon died on the same day, with one user writing, "Two legendary icons, both gone but never forgotten. Their incredible talent will live on forever. RIP to the true greats of film and theatre."

"What an extraordinary twist of fate!" another said. "Both Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall share the same day of passing, adding an even more mystical aura to their legacies."

"OMG the coincidence??? They both were so iconic… Rest in peace," a third said.

"This broke me..." someone else said, while another agreed, saying, "I can't take this."

"Oh, I'm crying," yet another fan said.

"This is so beyond heartbreaking," one user added.

Maggie Smith's incredible career

Smith's film, TV, and stage credits cover the span of 70-plus years. The actress won multiple awards, including two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, four Emmys, and a Tony.

Christopher Columbus, who directed the first two Harry Potter films revealed that when he was looking for the woman to take on the role of Professor McGonagall, they needed "someone that you were intimidated by, but someone who had a real sense of warmth and heart."

He added, "And that's exactly who Maggie is. And I thought, this is perfect for McGonagall."

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