Story perspectives

Judi Dench: Battling Blindness While Championing Shakespeare

12/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Judi Dench, the actress, 91, discusses declining eyesight and memory, noting she forgets appointments but recalls Shakespeare.
She has age-related macular degeneration, dulling sight of faces and television and requiring full-time public assistance.
The condition contributed to her retirement from acting, yet she remains active in charity events and promotes Shakespeare documentary.
Recently, she was sculpted live for lymphoedema research and expressed a desire to touch the sculpture despite blindness.

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Story summary

Judi Dench, the actress, 91, discusses declining eyesight and memory, noting she forgets appointments but recalls Shakespeare.
She has age-related macular degeneration, dulling sight of faces and television and requiring full-time public assistance.
The condition contributed to her retirement from acting, yet she remains active in charity events and promotes Shakespeare documentary.
Recently, she was sculpted live for lymphoedema research and expressed a desire to touch the sculpture despite blindness.