Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes considering assisted dying if health continues to deteriorate
As she continues to manage her own ailing health, actress Miriam Margolyes has inserted herself into a debate on assisted dying.
The Harry Potter star - famed for playing herbology teacher 'Professor Sprout' in the much-loved magical film franchise - told Weekend Magazine this week that medical aid in dying is something she's been forced to look into as she battles a number of different conditions.
As well as being diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a condition which narrows the spinal canal, Margolyes, 84, also suffers from osteoarthritis, with both woes seeing her rely on mobility aids like walking sticks, walkers, and scooters.
In recent years, as well as undergoing a knee replacement surgery as a result, a fault with her heart also saw the British-Australian star go under the knife to receive a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).
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This minimally invasive heart procedure saw Margoyles' aortic valve being replaced with one made from cow’s heart tissue.
What has Margoyles said about medical aid in dying?
Despite insisting she's far from 'death's door' earlier this year (after herself telling The Times, as per the Express, she 'probably [had] five or six years, if not before' left to live), the actress this week had her say on the prospect of medically assisted dying.
Admitting she'd be open to the idea if she lost her ability to live with independence, Margoyles explained: "I don’t want to go through a slowly diminishing period of pain and embarrassment.
"If a stroke meant I couldn’t speak, or I was doubly incontinent, or I lost my mind completely, I would ask to be put down."
She went on to claim: "That’s because I want to be who I am. I don’t want to be less than I can be."
Margoyles added of her general health during this week's bare-all interview: "I've let my body down. I haven’t taken care of it.
"I have to walk with a walker now. I wish I’d done exercise. It’s the most ghastly waste of time, except that it keeps you going.
"So, I’m foolish."
Where does current UK law stand on assisted dying?
For those unfamiliar with legislation on this controversial issue, assisted dying is currently illegal in the United Kingdom.
Back in June of this year, however, Parliament voted in favour of its legalisation in the cases of individuals suffering with terminal illnesses.
Titled the 'Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life)', the bill - which is currently under review by the House of Lords - applies to these such patients living in England and Wales, and are over 18 years of age.
It's also important to note that this specific type of assisted suicide, known officially as 'medical aid in dying' (MAID, differs greatly from euthanasia. In the latter cases, a doctor administers the drugs purposed to end a life.
In MAID circumstances, the patient must administer the drugs themselves.
These individuals must also have their decision pre-approved by a a panel including a social worker, senior legal figure, and psychiatrist.
What else has Miriam Margoyles said about her health?
Speaking to Closer Magazine last year, Miriam opened up on her increasing lack of mobility.
"I can’t walk very well, and I’m registered disabled," she explained.
"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."
The funny-woman has also admitted her belief that several of her own lifestyle choices may have had an impact on her older-age health woes.
"I've limited my life because of my longing for fudge or chopped liver, cheesecake," she joked to Vogue in 2023.
"All these absurdities. I shouldn't have been so greedy. I should have been stronger."
Topics: Celebrity, Harry Potter, Health, Life, Real Life, True Life, UK News
Rhianna Benson