Downton Abbey star Nathalie Baye dies aged 77 following a dementia diagnosis

Nathalie Baye, known for her role in Downton Abbey, passed away on Saturday at the age of 77 after being diagnosed with dementia.

The actress died at her Paris home on Friday evening after a battle with Lewy body dementia, according to her family.

She was known for her role as Madame de Montmirail in the 2022 film, Downton Abbey: A New Era.

The film was Nathalie’s last on screen appearance.

The acclaimed actress, a four-time César Award winner, has appeared in many popular films since she started acting in 1970.

She appeared with Leonardo DiCaprio in the film Catch Me If You Can, playing his mother. She also starred in Every Man for Himself, a role that earned her a César Award – her first.

It is believed Nathalie’s dementia progressed over the summer of 2025, according to reports.

LBD is the second most common form of degenerative dementia after Alzheimer’s.

Unlike Alzheimer’s, LBD affects the brain regions responsible for vision – as opposed to memory.

People with this condition often begin by experiencing memory loss. However, as it progresses, they may develop more severe symptoms like vivid hallucinations, disturbing nightmares, and difficulty understanding their surroundings.

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is often linked to Parkinson’s disease, and many people with LBD eventually develop Parkinson’s symptoms, as was the case with Robin Williams.

2026-04-18 14:03

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