Beloved actress Miriam Margolyes has said she ‘doesn’t have long to live’ after undergoing a major heart operation.
The actress, 83, known for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, explained that she underwent the procedure to avoid having even more serious open heart surgery in 2023.
This saw the star have an aortic valve that was no longer functioning properly replaced with a valve from a pig.
In a new interview, she said that as she believes she has only a few years left, she wants to keep acting for as long as possible as it brings her so much joy.
The star told The Times: ‘When you know that you haven’t got long to live – and I’m probably going to die within the next five or six years, if not before, I’m loath to leave behind performing. It’s such a joy.
‘I yearn to play roles that don’t confine me to wheelchairs, but I’m just not strong enough.’
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Beloved actress Miriam Margolyes, 83, has said she ‘doesn’t have long to live’ after undergoing a major heart operation
The actress explained that she underwent the procedure to avoid having even more serious open heart surgery in 2023
Miriam first stepped into the shoes of Professor Sprout in 2002’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Miriam first stepped into the shoes of Professor Sprout in 2002’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Opening up about her replaced valve on the Jessie and Lennie Ware’s Table Manners podcast, she said: ‘I’ve got a cow’s heart now – well, not the whole heart. I’ve had an aortic valve replaced by a cow’s aortic valve.
‘I don’t know how common it is. I’d never heard of that operation. But it saves you from having open heart surgery, which would be infinitely more invasive.’
The British actress has suffered from several health problems over the years including spinal stenosis, arthritis and rheumatism.
She is registered disabled and has to use walking sticks and a mobility scooter to get around.
She told Closer: ‘I can’t walk very well, and I’m registered disabled.
‘I use all kinds of assistance. I’ve got two sticks and a walker and they’re such a bore, but I’ve just got a mobility scooter, which is a lot of fun.’
As a result, she said it is unlikely that she will perform at the Edinburgh Fringe again, despite still having a strong desire to do what she loves.
The star, known for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, had an aortic valve that was no longer functioning properly replaced with a valve from a pig
The British actress (L), pictured here with Queen Camilla, has suffered from several health problems over the years including including spinal stenosis, arthritis and rheumatism.
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Miriam Margolyes, 83, admits she works out of fear she'll run out of enough money to pay carers
She explained that she is often in pain to the Metro, explaining: ‘I’m often in pain… bodily conditions make life difficult, so it’s unlikely I will do [the Edinburgh Fringe] again.
‘But I love connecting with an audience, and I love sharing my knowledge and love of Dickens.’
She later told Loose Women that a time will come when she will need carers.
The actress stressed that she recognises the importance of this work and wants to be able to afford to pay those looking after her well.
She said: ‘One day I will need carers. I want to be comfortable and I want them to be properly paid for.
‘It is really because I want to make money though and they pay me to do it.’