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 retired actress, renowned for her versatility and considered one of Britain's finest. Over her illustrious seven-decade career, she has received numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, multiple Golden Globe Awards, BAFTAs for both television and film, and Olivier Awards. Her work encompasses a wide range of roles across both stage and screen.

Sections (4)

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

1970: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

In the 1970 Birthday Honours, Judi Dench was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

February 1971: Marriage to Michael Williams

In February 1971, Judi Dench married actor Michael Williams at St Mary's Church, Hampstead.

1972: Birth of daughter Finty Williams

In 1972, Judi Dench and Michael Williams' only child, daughter Finty Williams, was born. Finty later became an actress.

1985: Became president of Questors Theatre

Judi Dench has been president of Questors Theatre, Ealing, since 1985, where the main auditorium is known as The Judi Dench Playhouse.

1988: Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

In the 1988 New Year Honours, Judi Dench was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE).

January 2001: Death of Michael Williams and Filming The Shipping News

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

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2001: Death of Michael Williams

In 2001, Judi Dench's husband, Michael Williams, passed away from lung cancer.

2005: Appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH)

In the 2005 Birthday Honours, Judi Dench was appointed Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH).

2006: Became president of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts

Judi Dench became president of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London in 2006, taking over from Sir John Mills.

July 2010: Awarded honorary degree by Nottingham Trent University

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

2010: Began relationship with David Mills

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

2010: Patron of Ovingdean Hall School closure

Judi Dench was also patron of Ovingdean Hall School, a special day and boarding school for the deaf and hard of hearing in Brighton, which closed in 2010.

January 2011: Became patron of The Dr Hadwen Trust

On 15 January 2011, The Dr Hadwen Trust announced that Judi Dench had become a patron of the trust, joining others.

2011: Urged policy-makers to decriminalise drug use

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: Became honorary patron of Everton in the Community

On 19 March 2012, it was announced that Judi Dench was to become 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: Became honorary patron of Everton in the Community

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

2012: Discussed macular degeneration

In early 2012, Judi Dench discussed her macular degeneration, with one eye "dry" and the other "wet", for which she has been treated with injections into the eye. She also stated that she needed someone to read scripts to her.

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

In March 2013, Judi Dench was listed as one of the fifty best-dressed over-50s by The Guardian.

2013: Underwent knee surgery

In 2013, Judi Dench underwent knee surgery and recovered from the procedure, stating that her knee was no longer an issue.

2013: Statement about her Quaker faith

In 2013, Judi Dench, a Quaker since her school years, stated that her faith informs everything she does and she couldn't be without it.

2014: Signed open letter regarding Scottish independence referendum

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

2014: Discussed finding love again after her husband's death

In a 2014 interview with The Times magazine, Judi Dench discussed how she never expected to find love again after her husband's death, describing the relationship as very gradual and grown up.

September 2015: Guest on Desert Island Discs

On 20 September 2015, Judi Dench was the guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs for the third time. She revealed 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 on a video. The collaboration highlighted the slang term "dench", which features in Bizzle's lyrics.

May 2020: Cover of British Vogue

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

July 2022: Patron of Shakespeare North opening

Judi Dench is a patron of Shakespeare North, a cultural and educational venue that opened on 15 July 2022 in the town of Prescot, near Liverpool.

November 2022: Louis Theroux Interviews: Dame Judi Dench aired

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

December 2022: Impromptu performance of ABBA's "Waterloo"

At Hogmanay on 31 December 2022, Judi Dench joined Sharleen Spiteri in an impromptu performance of ABBA's "Waterloo" at the Fife Arms hotel in Braemar, where they were both staying.

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2022: Criticized Netflix show The Crown

In a 2022 opinion piece for The Times, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Judi Dench expressed criticism of the Netflix show The Crown, accusing it of "crude sensationalism" and being "cruelly unjust" to the individuals represented.

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March 2023: Appearance at Edinburgh Festival Fringe

In March 2023, it was announced that Judi Dench would appear in a one-off show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, discussing her life and career with Gyles Brandreth. The show, titled I Remember It Well: Judi Dench in Conversation with Gyles Brandreth, would also feature her singing and performing excerpts from her past works.

April 2023: Subject of Channel 5 documentary

In April 2023, Judi Dench was the subject of a Channel 5 documentary titled The Divine Judi Dench: Our National Treasure.

2023: Rode in King Charles III's Royal Ascot Procession

In 2023, Judi Dench and her partner David Mills were both invited to ride in King Charles III's Royal Ascot Procession.

2024: Became a member of the Garrick Club

In 2024, Judi Dench and Siân Phillips became the first female members of the Garrick Club.

2024: Reported retirement from acting due to eyesight deterioration

In 2024, it was reported that Judi Dench's eyesight had deteriorated to the point where she is effectively retired from acting. Her eyesight problems prevent her from going out alone, although she still wants to work.

November 2025: Stated her eyesight had further deteriorated

In November 2025, during an interview she gave to ITV, Judi Dench stated that her eyesight had further deteriorated and that she was no longer able to see clearly.