The tragic reason Miriam Margolyes is still working at 83
Miriam Margolyes has shared the tragic reason that she is still working in showbiz at the age of 83.
The acting legend has long suffered with spinal stenosis – a condition that occurs when the spinal canal or neural foramen narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Despite suffering from the debilitating illness, the 83-year-old British star has appeared on numerous TV shows over the years.
Now, speaking candidly to the Radio Times, Margolyes admitted that she is still working to fund her medical bills.
She said, “I’m worried that I won’t have enough money for carers when I finally get paralysed or whatever it is that’s going to happen to me.”
Despite dealing with the physical constraints that come from both her spinal stenosis and her age, which she finds “limiting and depressing”, she said she refuses to slow her pace.
“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.”
“I yearn to play roles that don’t confine me to wheelchairs, but I’m just not strong enough.”
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.”
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.”
Image credits: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock Editorial