Credit: Alamy & Miriam Margolyes
Harry Potter Star Miriam Margolyes Reveals She ‘Can’t Walk’ And ‘Will Be In Wheelchair Soon’
Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes has revealed she ‘can’t walk’ and may ‘be in a wheelchair soon.’
Margolyes is known for her work across film, television, and stage, having received the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress in Martin Scorscese’s The Age of Innocence.
She also achieved international recognition with her portrayal of Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter movies.
Recently, the 83-year-old shared a candid health update about her spine problems.
Margolyes has made numerous admissions regarding her health in recent years.
To the upset of fans, the outspoken actress made a prediction about her life expectancy in an interview with The Telegraph.
The James and the Giant Peach star said: “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.”
Margolyes also spoke of undergoing heart surgery, specifically a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
A TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure that involves replacing a damaged aortic valve with a manmade valve. The valve problem can block or slow blood flow from the heart to the body, as per the Mayo Clinic.
On the Table Manners podcast with Jessie and Lennie Ware, Margolyes 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.”
She added: “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.”
Margolyes also discussed her mobility during her appearance on the popular podcast.
The Romeo + Juliet actress continued: “I have a bad back. I’m probably going to be in a wheelchair soon. And you know, you have to come to terms with what life throws at you.”
When asked if she was prepared for this challenge, Margolyes responded: “Not really preparing for it. I’ve just sort of accepted that it’s probably going to happen.”
The British-Australian star suffers from spinal stenosis, a condition that happens when the space inside the backbone is too small, per the Mayo Clinic.
The condition could eventually confine Margolyes to a wheelchair.
In an interview with Closer, the actress elaborated on her condition (per MailOnline): “I can’t walk very well, and I’m registered disabled, so 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.”
Margolyes has also reflected on her life, admitting she wishes she’d made significant life changes to better her health.
On the How To Fail podcast, the actress said she was disappointed to have not overcome her weight challenges.
“I am a blubber mass. I am fat. And to be fat and 82 is truly pathetic,” she stated.
Margolyes has also shared her concerns over her finances, as she worries she won’t be able to afford carers to look after her if her health worsens.
She told the Radio Times: “I’m worried that I won’t have enough money for carers when I finally get paralyzed, or whatever it is that’s going to happen to me.”
The actress also shared that she is now focusing on saving, so she can provide for herself and her partner, Heather.
Related Article: Harry Potter Fans Threaten To Boycott New TV Show Because J.K. Rowling Is Involved
Related Article: J.K. Rowling Says She’ll Never Forgive Emma Watson And Daniel Radcliffe
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