Nearly two years after Maggie Smith‘s death, details about the fortune she left behind have come to light.
The Harry Potter alum’s two sons Chris Larkin and Toby Stephens—both of whom followed their mom’s footsteps into acting—inherited an estate worth £15,977,325 (approximately $21 million U.S.), according to probate records obtained by E! News.
The final figure came after debts and expenses totaling a little over £25,000 ($33,985) were deducted from her estate’s full value.
The Downton Abbey actress’ estate includes Douglas Lake Farm—a rural compound boasting barns, a stable, a vineyard and a five-bedroom house—where Smith lived at for 40 years to raise her kids, whom she shared with ex-husband Robert Stephens.
As for Smith’s will, the document—signed in September 1998, 18 months before the death of her playwright husbandBeverley Cross—stipulated that any copyright, royalties and unpublished works she inherited would be shared out separately, with proceeds split equally between her two children as well as Cross’ daughter Philippa Maughan and son Shaun Cross.
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Maggie Smith Dead at 89: Downton Abbey Costars and More Pay Tribute
Smith died on Sept. 27, 2024, at age 89. At the time, Larkin, 59, and Stephens, 57, told E! News in a statement, “An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end.”
Two months later, Stephen spoke out about his grief and how “tough” it had been witnessing his mom’s declining health in her final days.
“She had been ill for a while and it was very hard to see that, the Black Sails star told ABC News in a December 2024 interview. “But she was in her 90th year, she’d had a really good innings.”
However, he took comfort in the outpouring of support from fans in the wake of her passing, explaining, “It’s been incredibly moving for my family to see how universally loved and admired she was.”
Especially since he said universal acclaim was “something she never really allowed herself to believe.”
“She was just like all of us,” Stephens added, “she didn’t have that self-confidence.”
Read on for all the celebrity tributes to Smith.
Arturo Holmes/Getty ImagesEmma Watson”When I was younger I had no idea of Maggie’s legend—the woman I was fortunate enough to share space with,” the Harry Potter actress—who played Hermione Granger in the film franchise—wrote on Instagram Story. “It is only as I’ve become an adult that I’ve come to appreciate that I shared the screen with a true definition of greatness.”
Emma added of her late costar, “She was real, honest, funn and self-honouring. Maggie, there were a lot of male professors and by God you held your own. Than you for all of your kindness. I’ll miss you.”
Scott Myers/ShutterstockDaniel Radcliffe”The first time I met Maggie Smith I was 9 years old and we were reading through scenes for David Copperfield, which was my first job,” the Harry Potter alum detailed in a statement. “I knew virtually nothing about her other than that my parents were awestruck at the fact that I would be working with her. The other thing I knew about her was that she was a Dame, so the first thing I asked her when we met was ‘would you like me to call you Dame?’ at which she laughed and said something to the effect of ‘don’t be ridiculous!'”
Daniel went on to detail his lengthy on-set relationship with the beloved star.
“I remember feeling nervous to meet her and then her putting me immediately at ease,” he added. “She was incredibly kind to me on that shoot, and then I was lucky enough to go on working with her for another 10 years on the Harry Potter films. She was a fierce intellect, a gloriously sharp tongue, could intimidate and charm in the same instant and was, as everyone will tell you, extremely funny. I will always consider myself amazingly lucky to have been able to work with her, and to spend time around her on set. The word legend is overused but if it applies to anyone in our industry then it applies to her. Thank you Maggie.”Paras Griffin/Getty ImagesJames PhelpsThe actor, who played Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter saga, said it was “an honour to have been on the same set as Dame Maggie Smith.”
“On HP, she was always welcoming, funny and also showed how to act no just on set, but off too,” he added in a statement shared on social media. “My thoughts are with her family at this sad time.”David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty ImagesKristin Scott Thomas”So very, very sad to know she has gone,” the Godford Park star wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. “She was a true inspiration. She took acting very seriously but saw through the nonsense and razzmatazz. She really didn’t want to deal with that. She had a sense of humour and wit that could reduce me to a blithering puddle of giggles. And she did not have patience with fools. So you had to be a bit careful. I absolutely adored her.”
Kristin went on to laud the late actress for her youthful spirit.
“Her performances and her personality,” Kristin continued. “Her comedic timing was perfection and her vulnerability when required was heartbreaking. The last time I saw her she was very cross about being old. ‘Maddening’ I think she said. Much loved , much admired and irreplaceable. Rest in Peace dearest Maggie. Dame Maggie Smith.”Jaap Buitendijk/Focus/Kobal/ShutterstockMichelle Dockery“There was no one quite like Maggie,” Michelle said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “I feel tremendously lucky to have known such a maverick. She will be deeply missed and my thoughts are with her family.”Michael Tackett/Gaylord/All Girl Prods/Kobal/ShutterstockSandra BullockThe Oscar winner reflected on her time filming 2002’s Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, telling People, “How lucky am I to have sat in quiet corners with Maggie and a glass of wine.”
She added, “Her stories, her wicked sense of humor and her gentle advice are all things that have made my life sweeter.”Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup for FOX/ShutterstockRob Lowe”Saddened to hear Dame Maggie Smith has passed,” Rob—who shared the screen with Maggie in the 90s—wrote in on X (formerly Twitter). “I had the unforgettable experience of working with her; sharing a two-shot was like being paired with a lion. She could eat anyone alive, and often did. But funny, and great company. And suffered no fools. We will never see another. God speed, Ms. Smith!”Touchstone/Kobal/ShutterstockWhoopi Goldberg”Maggie Smith was a great woman and a brilliant actress,” the Sister Act star wrote in an Instagram tribute. “I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to work with the ‘one-of-a-kind.’ My heartfelt condolences go out to the family. RIP.”MJ Photos/BAFTA/ShutterstockHugh Bonneville“Anyone who ever shared a scene with Maggie will attest to her sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent,” the Downton Abbey actor said in a statement to E! News. “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.” Paul Drinkwater/NBCJulian Fellowes “Maggie Smith was a truly great actress and we were more than fortunate to be part of the last act in her stellar career,” the Downton Abbey creator said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “She was a joy to write for, subtle, many-layered, intelligent, funny and heart-breaking. Working with her has been the greatest privilege of my career, and I will never forget her.”Victoria Jones/ShutterstockKeir StarmerThe United Kingdom Prime Minister remembered the late actress on X, formerly Twitter, “She was beloved by so many for her great talent, becoming a true national treasure whose work will be cherished for generations to come.”For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
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