Judi Dench Fears Losing Her Mind Amidst Vision Loss

Dame Judi Dench, nearing her 91st birthday, has candidly shared her struggles with declining vision and short-term memory loss, expressing concern about potentially 'losing the plot.' The acclaimed actress was diagnosed with Age-related Macular Degeneration in 2012, a condition that has progressed to the 'wet' stage in both eyes, rendering them beyond treatment and severely impacting her sight. Consequently, she can no longer watch television or perform daily tasks independently, relying on her assistants for support.

Despite these profound challenges, Dench's dedication to her craft remains undimmed. She continues to work by having friends and colleagues read her scripts aloud, memorizing lines with her remarkable photographic memory. While she can recite complex Shakespearean passages, she admits to difficulties remembering immediate future plans. The actress also touched upon her past collaborations with controversial figures Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, noting her continued friendship with Spacey, who was recently acquitted of sexual assault allegations.

Dench's reflections extended to her relationship with disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein, who produced her Oscar-winning film 'Shakespeare In Love.' While acknowledging his past support for her career and expressing no personal negative experiences, she controversially suggested he might deserve forgiveness, noting he has served his time. Dench's upcoming documentary will explore a potential ancestral link to William Shakespeare.