Early Life and Education of Judi Dench: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Judi Dench. From birth to education, explore key events.

Dame Judi Dench is a highly acclaimed English actress renowned for her versatility across stage, film, and television. Over a career spanning seven decades, she has become recognized as one of Britain's greatest actors. Dench's impressive list of accolades includes an Academy Award, a Tony Award, multiple Golden Globe Awards, British Academy Television Awards, British Academy Film Awards, and Olivier Awards, solidifying her status as a celebrated and influential figure in the world of acting.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1971: Dench marries Michael Williams

In 1971, Judi Dench married actor Michael Williams.

1972: Birth of Finty Williams

In 1972, Judi Dench and Michael Williams welcomed their only child, daughter Finty Williams, who would later become an actress.

1985: Dench becomes president of Questors Theatre

In 1985, Judi Dench became the president of Questors Theatre, Ealing, where the main auditorium is named The Judi Dench Playhouse.

January 2001: Death of Michael Williams

In January 2001, Judi Dench's husband, Michael Williams, passed away from lung cancer. Shortly after his funeral, Dench began production on the film "The Shipping News" in Newfoundland, Canada, which she found therapeutic.

2001: Death of Michael Williams

In 2001, Michael Williams, Judi Dench's husband, died from lung cancer. They had been married since 1971.

2006: Dench becomes president of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

In 2006, Judi Dench became the president of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, succeeding Sir John Mills.

July 2010: Dench receives honorary degree from Nottingham Trent University

On July 22, 2010, Judi Dench received an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (DLitt) from Nottingham Trent University.

2010: Dench begins relationship with David Mills

In 2010, Judi Dench started a relationship with David Mills, a conservationist.

2010: Ovingdean Hall School closes

In 2010, Ovingdean Hall School, a special school for the deaf and hard of hearing in Brighton, where Judi Dench was patron, closed.

January 2011: Dench becomes patron of The Dr Hadwen Trust

On January 15, 2011, The Dr Hadwen Trust announced that Judi Dench had become a patron of the trust, joining Joanna Lumley and David Shepherd.

2011: Dench urges policy-makers to adopt more progressive drug policies

In 2011, Judi Dench, along with musician Sting and entrepreneur Richard Branson, publicly urged policy-makers to adopt more progressive drug policies by decriminalising drug use.

March 2012: Dench becomes honorary patron of Everton in the Community

On March 19, 2012, it was announced that Judi Dench would become honorary patron of Everton in the Community, the charity branch of Liverpool-based football team Everton.

2012: Dench becomes honorary patron of Everton in the Community

In 2012, Judi Dench became the honorary patron of Everton in the Community, the charity branch of Liverpool-based football team Everton, of which she is a long-time supporter.

2012: Dench discusses her macular degeneration

In early 2012, Judi Dench publicly discussed her macular degeneration, noting that she requires assistance reading scripts due to vision impairment and receives treatment in the form of injections into her eye.

March 2013: Dench listed as one of the fifty best-dressed over-50s by The Guardian

In March 2013, Judi Dench was recognized for her fashion sense, being listed as one of the fifty best-dressed over-50s by The Guardian.

2013: Dench undergoes knee surgery

In 2013, Judi Dench underwent knee surgery, from which she recovered successfully, resolving the issue.

2013: Dench discusses her Quaker faith

In 2013, Judi Dench, a Quaker since her school years, discussed how her faith informs everything she does.

2014: Dench discusses finding love again after her husband's death

In 2014, Judi Dench discussed in an interview with The Times magazine that she never expected to find love again after her husband's death, referring to her relationship with David Mills.

2014: Dench signs open letter regarding Scottish independence referendum

In 2014, Judi Dench was one of 200 celebrities who signed an open letter to the people of Scotland asking them to vote to remain part of the UK in that year's referendum.

September 2015: Guest on Desert Island Discs

On September 20, 2015, Judi Dench was the guest on BBC Radio 4's "Desert Island Discs" for the third time, revealing that her first acting performance was as a snail.

September 2017: Collaboration with Lethal Bizzle

In September 2017, Judi Dench collaborated with UK Grime MC Lethal Bizzle in a video where she was rapping. This collaboration was due to the use of the slang term "dench" in Bizzle's lyrics, which Judi Dench had previously helped to promote.

May 2020: British Vogue Cover

In May 2020, Judi Dench became the oldest British person to be featured on the cover of British Vogue.

November 2022: Louis Theroux Interview

In November 2022, the BBC aired "Louis Theroux Interviews: Dame Judi Dench" featuring Judi Dench and documentarian Louis Theroux.

December 2022: Dench performs Waterloo at the Fife Arms hotel

On December 31, 2022, at Hogmanay, Judi Dench joined Sharleen Spiteri for an impromptu performance of ABBA's "Waterloo" at the Fife Arms hotel in Braemar.

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2022: Shakespeare North playhouse completion

In 2022, the Shakespeare North playhouse project in Prescot, near Liverpool, where Judi Dench is a patron, was completed.

2022: Dench criticizes The Crown

In a 2022 opinion piece for The Times, Judi Dench criticized the Netflix show "The Crown" for "crude sensationalism" and its potential to mislead viewers, particularly regarding dramatic license. She also argued for a disclaimer warning.

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