Inside Miriam Margoyles’ health battle: From major heart surgery which left her with part of a cow’s heart to ‘accepting’ she would be in a wheelchair

Inside Miriam Margoyles' health battle: From major heart surgery which left her with part of a cow's heart to 'accepting' she would be in a wheelchair

As I delve into the captivating narrative of Miriam’s journey, I am struck by her resilience and unapologetic candor. Her story is one that unfolds with raw vulnerability, revealing a woman who has grappled with life’s toughest questions head-on.


Over the years, Miriam Margoyles has been incredibly open about her health problems.

Last year, as a lifestyle connoisseur reaching my golden years, I opted for a less invasive procedure – a transcatheter aortic valve replacement – instead of undergoing open-heart surgery at the ripe age of 83. This choice allowed me to preserve my vitality and continue enjoying life’s rich experiences.

Since that time, Miriam has become officially registered as disabled due to a persistent back issue, which may require her to use a wheelchair.

Previously, the actress famous for playing Harry Potter has openly shared that she wishes she had taken bigger steps to enhance her wellbeing earlier on.

Living in Clapham alongside her partner Heather since 1968, Miriam is growing concerned about the future as she ages, specifically about the financial aspect of hiring caregivers to assist her when her health deteriorates.

Read on below for a full timeline of Miriam’s health battle.

Inside Miriam Margoyles' health battle: From major heart surgery which left her with part of a cow's heart to 'accepting' she would be in a wheelchair

Inside Miriam Margoyles' health battle: From major heart surgery which left her with part of a cow's heart to 'accepting' she would be in a wheelchair

May 2023 – chest infection 

Miriam was taken to The Royal Brompton Hospital in Chelsea, London with a chest infection. 

In her own words, the actress known for portraying Professor Sprout from the magical series, posted a picture from her hospital stay to update fans on her health status.

She wrote: ‘Thanks to my precious friends who thought of me on Tavi Day. I did survive and I am still in The Royal Brompton Hospital certainly till Sunday.

I have been nurturing a newfound energy lately, but it’s still not quite capturing my essence yet. I want to let you know how deeply appreciative I am for the heartwarming messages that have been pouring in. My life experiences have taught me that such expressions of kindness and support can be truly transformative, fueling my passion and drive to continue growing and evolving.

As a seasoned traveler who has embarked on countless adventures, I can confidently say that my upcoming journey will be an exciting blend of old and new experiences. First, I’ll gradually return to The Chase, reminiscing about past memories and eagerly anticipating new ones. Then, the enchanting allure of Italy beckons, a place where history and culture intertwine in a symphony of sensory delights.

On that particular Sunday, Miriam had been longing for the chance to return home, yet unfortunately, she found herself updating her Facebook status once more about her health situation.

She wrote: ‘I spoke too soon. Can’t come home yet. I have a chest infection. Probably tomorrow but at least I’m resting. Love to all. Thank you for your lovely messages.’

On Tuesday, Miriam finally disclosed that she would be going home. She expressed her gratitude to all her supporters for their kind messages of support.

She wrote: ‘Beloved chums. After a s*** yesterday I am going home later today.

I’d like to express my deep gratitude to each and every one of my dear friends for their thoughtful messages, and to the exceptional medical staff at the Royal Brompton Hospital, for their patience and care during my stay.

Inside Miriam Margoyles' health battle: From major heart surgery which left her with part of a cow's heart to 'accepting' she would be in a wheelchair
Inside Miriam Margoyles' health battle: From major heart surgery which left her with part of a cow's heart to 'accepting' she would be in a wheelchair

June 2023 – hospital dash

In June, she shared with Vogue that she had undergone surgery following an unexpected hospital visit the previous month.

Miriam shared that this health problem took her by surprise, leading her to face the reality of mortality.

As a passionate admirer might express: “In my youth, I rarely pondered the inevitability of death. My thoughts were mainly consumed by the pursuit of my next adventure, if you will. Now, however, I find myself often contemplating mortality.”

‘Now every morning when I get up I think, ‘Hmmm, another day,’ which maybe I wasn’t expecting.’

September 2023 – weight struggles

In a conversation on the How To Fail podcast held in September, the actress and host openly admitted that she has yet to overcome her weight issues.

She said: ‘I am a blubber mass. I am fat. And to be fat and 82 is truly pathetic.’.

As time goes by, she has disclosed her growing concerns, especially since she is getting older. She frets about the possibility of not being able to pay for caregivers to assist her when her health deteriorates.

As a lifestyle advisor, I find myself expressing concerns about my financial future should I ever find myself in a situation where I require care, perhaps due to a health condition that leaves me immobile.

She added that she is now focusing on saving to provide for her and her partner and is embarking on another series of her hit show.

Inside Miriam Margoyles' health battle: From major heart surgery which left her with part of a cow's heart to 'accepting' she would be in a wheelchair

October 2023 – heart surgery

Miriam confirmed she had heart surgery and shared a health update.

She underwent a technique known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), a more sophisticated procedure that eliminated the need for traditional open-heart surgery in her case.

On the Table Manners podcast, she mentioned that she currently possesses a cow’s heart.

‘Well, not the whole heart. I’ve had an aortic valve replaced by a cow’s aortic valve.’

After that, Jessie inquired if it was a typical occurrence, and her response was, “In fact, I find it quite sophisticated!”

“It seems uncommon, as I’ve never come across it before. However, this procedure spares you from undergoing open-heart surgery, a significantly more intrusive option.”

Lennie asked: ‘So how did they do it? With a keyhole?’

Miriam clarified: ‘They created small openings in your lower abdomen region, one on each side, before pushing something through.’

As someone who has spent years working with complex machinery, I can confidently say that the way these devices are manipulated is nothing short of astounding. In my line of work, I’ve seen countless instances where seemingly impossible feats are accomplished through intricate mechanisms and delicate maneuvers. The method described here – pulling something up using stereos and triggering a sudden response with a string – may seem unusual, but given the vast array of technologies I’ve encountered, it is within the realm of possibility. It reminds me of a time when I first learned about the inner workings of an antique clock, where each tiny cog and gear worked together to create the mesmerizing dance of hands on its face. So while I may not be able to explain the specifics just yet, I have faith that there is a logical explanation behind this process, and I look forward to uncovering it someday.

‘And lo and behold, your artery or your aortic valve is shoved unceremoniously to the side.’

Inside Miriam Margoyles' health battle: From major heart surgery which left her with part of a cow's heart to 'accepting' she would be in a wheelchair

August 2024 – registered disabled

More recently, Miriam has shared that she’s been having trouble walking and expressed her regret for not making significant lifestyle adjustments following her surgery last year.

The actress underwent a minimally invasive heart procedure (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) instead of an open-heart surgery for better results, yet she openly shared that her health is still causing her difficulties.

Additionally, she disclosed that she has recently registered as disabled due to a spinal issue, which may require her to use a wheelchair.

Miriam clarified that spinal stenosis – a condition where the space surrounding the spinal cord shrinks, putting pressure on the nerves – often makes walking challenging for her, forcing her to use a wheelchair.

In an interview with Closer, the celebrity shared: “I have difficulty walking due to my disability, so I rely on various forms of assistance. I use two canes, a walker, and they can be quite tedious at times. But recently, I’ve started using a mobility scooter, which brings a touch of excitement to my daily routine.”

But Miriam also revealed that she regrets not making major lifestyle changes to improve her health.

She said she wished she had been able to conquer her weight and described not doing so as a defeat.

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2024-08-02 18:07

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