DAME Michael Williams, Judi Dench’s late husband, and she were wed for thirty years.
They remained together up until his dreadful passing in 2001.
Who was Michael Williams?
Michael, a native of Liverpool, attended RADA before beginning a career in theatre.
At the age of 25, Michael landed his first film role in 1962, marking the beginning of his transition into the worlds of television and film.
He would go on to star in films like Henry V, Elizabeth R, and Educating Rita.
Following their encounter as co-stars in a stage production of John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi in 1971, Michael and Judi got engaged.
Their marriage was described as “very happy” by Judi, who also noted that Michael took great pride in her success.
In an emotional 2022 interview with Louis Theroux, the actress was asked what the basis of their relationship was. She responded, “It was a sense of humour.
“Michael used to laugh and when he laughed he used to cry.
“Interest in the same things is important of course but what is it? It’s impossible to tell.”
When did Michael Williams die?
On January 11, 2001, Michael Williams tragically passed away after losing his fight with lung cancer.
Michael had been named a Knight of St. Gregory by Pope John Paul II the day before, on January 10, in honour of his service to the Catholic church.
Dench talked eloquently about her late husband during an interview with David Tennant on his podcast, David Tennant Does a Podcast.
He was the most selfless man, and he would never link that to anything that might exist between us, she said. God used to make me laugh so much.
“He used to make me absolutely howl.”
After his passing, Judi also admitted that she never fully recovered and that she still thinks Michael’s ghost pays her frequent visits in the house they used to share.
He is very much present in our home, the garden, and everything, Judi said on That Gaby Roslin Podcast.
After sensing Michael’s spirit in the house, she later revealed that she once discovered a tin with the words “I love you” written across the top on the floor in front of her.
Regardless of what others may say, she continued, “I think those are the kinds of things that just happen at the most ideal time.”
After getting married, Michael and Judi had a daughter a year later.
On September 24, 1972, Tara Cressida Williams was born; since then, she has gone by the name Finty Williams.
Since then, Finty has built a successful acting career for herself in both the theatre and on screen.
Finty, who starred in the popular children’s programme Angelina Ballerina and has narrated audiobooks for authors like Sophie Kinsella and Terry Mancour, is perhaps best known for her extensive voice work.
