‘There’s not all that much time left’: Dame Joanna Lumley’s candid reflection on her mortality

Dame Joanna Lumley marked her 79th birthday on May 1, and while the occasion was certainly one of celebration, it also prompted a moment of reflection for the beloved British star—on mortality, ageing, and how much time she has left.

During an appearance on BBC Radio 2, Lumley admitted that reaching this milestone had made her think more deeply about the fleeting nature of time.

“As you nearly the top of the hill, you suddenly think, ‘Gosh, there’s not all that much time left,”‘ she said.

“My time must be coming quite soon, and I don’t want to have wasted a minute of being on this beautiful planet. I used to panic when I was young, but as I’ve got older, I’ve started to live day to day.

“With age, you work out what matters. I always knew that good stuff would come along when I was older.

“When I was 18, I longed to be 30. When I was 30, I longed to be 50. We mustn’t be led into thinking getting old is bad. Growing old is good.”

Even as she contemplates the passing of time, Lumley remains dedicated to her craft. Speaking at the SANDS International Film Festival recently, she assured her fans that she’ll continue performing for as long as her voice allows.

“When I was 16 and told the careers officer at my convent school that I wanted to go into acting, he told me that the only jobs open to me in film would be as a continuity or make-up girl,” she said, as per The Daily Mail.

“In the past women like me would have been sidelined at 38 but now there are lead parts for people in their 50s and big parts for those in their 70s.”

Lumley has built a remarkable career spanning more than five decades as an actress, presenter, author, and activist. Best known for her BAFTA-winning role as the outrageous Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous, she has also earned acclaim on stage and screen, with credits ranging from The New Avengers and Sapphire & Steel to The Wolf of Wall Street and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.

Her contributions to entertainment have been recognised with a Tony nomination, a BAFTA Fellowship, and a National Television Special Recognition Award.