National treasure Miriam Margolyes has revealed that she “doesn’t have long to live” following the heart surgery she underwent in 2023.
The actress, who turned 84 on May 18, said in a new interview that she expects to die “within the next five or six years”.
She added that she wants to keep acting, but might not be able to do so for much longer.
‘I’m not strong enough’
Miriam, known for roles in the likes of Harry Potter and Call the Midwife, 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.”
I yearn to play roles that don’t confine me to wheelchairs, but I’m just not strong enough.
‘I’ve got a cow’s heart now’
In 2023, Miriam had an aortic valve that was no longer functioning properly replaced with a valve from a cow. This saved her from more invasive open heart surgery.
On Jessie and Lennie Ware’s Table Manners podcast last year, she shared: “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.”
Miriam worries about running out of money to pay for carers
Miriam is registered as disabled and uses walking sticks and a mobility scooter – she’s had spinal stenosis, arthritis and rheumatism over the years.
Last year, she told the Radio Times that she was concerned she may run out of money to pay for carers, explaining: “I’m worried that I won’t have enough money for carers when I finally get paralysed or whatever it is that’s going to happen to me. I’m saving up cash so that I can pay people to look after me and my partner.
“We don’t have children, so I need to make sure I’m going to be looked after in the way that I’ve become accustomed.”
In 2023, she revealed that she was moving in with her partner of over 50 years for the first time.
She and Heather Sutherland had never lived together. However, Miriam said on The Graham Norton Show: “We are together, but we live apart. She is in Amsterdam, and I am in London, but now we want to live together. I really do want to live with her because we are old, and we haven’t got much time left. It is silly to live apart.”
What do you think? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.