Oscar winning actress Maggie Smith has died at the age of 89.

The British actress won two Oscars across a glittering career – Best Actress for ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’ in 1970 and Best Supporting Actress for ‘California Suite’ in 1979.

In later years, she was best known for portraying Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films.

In a statement, her sons Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin said Smith “passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning”.

“An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end,” they wrote.

“She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.

“We thank you for all your kind messages and support and ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

Emma Thompson and Maggie Smith star as Sybill Trelawney and Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Image: Entertainment Pictures / Alamy

Born in Essex in 1934, Smith went on to become one of the most versatile, accomplished and meticulous actresses of her generation.

Her first significant accolade came for her role as the fanatical teacher in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie in 1969, which won her a best actress Oscar and BAFTA.

Her second Oscar came for her role in California Suite in 1978 which won her a best supporting actress trophy, as well as a Golden Globe.

More recently she won a new generation of fans playing Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter series as well as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Downton Abbey.

Although she was a tour de force in leading roles on the West End stage, she was equally happy - even during the years of her mega-stardom - to accept supporting roles, particularly in films.

The Downton Abbey TV series won her a series of awards - three Emmys, a Golden Globe, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.

With reporting from IRN.