Beloved Harry Potter actress Miriam Margolyes believes she knows when she is going to die.
After being diagnosed with the condition of spinal stenosis, the 83-year-old actress said she was aware she did not have “long to live”.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Miriam Margolyes shares major health update.
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“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,” she told The Telegraph.
The Call the Midwife star spoke of acting at an older age, calling the physical restraints “limiting and depressing”.
“I yearn to play roles that don’t confine me to wheelchairs, but I’m just not strong enough.”
Spinal stenosis is a condition that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots and occurs when the backbone is too small, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Margolyes recently underwent major heart surgery, speaking candidly about the operation with the Table Manners podcast.
“I’ve got a cow’s heart now,” she said.
“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.”
Explaining more, the star said: “They made two little holes in your groin. One in each groin and then they shoved this thing through.
“And I don’t know how they pull it up but they sort of pull it up … And then when it comes to the point, when it’s in your heart, they pull a little string and it goes pow!
“And lo and behold, your artery or your aortic valve is shoved unceremoniously to the side.”
In the same interview, Margolyes revealed she expected to be a wheelchair soon.
“When you get old you become obviously aware of your vulnerability. I have a bad back, I’m probably going to be in a wheelchair soon and you have to come to terms with what life throws at you.”
The actress is best known for bringing to life Professor Sprout, Head of the Herbology department at Hogwarts School, in the Harry Potter franchise.
She has also appeared in theatre and movie productions over the decades, as well as a series of documentaries.