Heartbreaking news as we say goodbye to Jill Freud, the captivating actress known for her role in Love Actually. At 98, Jill peacefully took her final bow, leaving behind a legacy that not many can boast of.
Jill’s daughter, Emma Freud, shared the poignant last moments before her mother’s passing. Surrounded by love, laughter, and pizza, Jill cheekily bid her family goodnight with final words that truly captured her spirit: “I love you.” After that, she closed her eyes for the last time.
Jill lived a vibrant life. As a child, she was evacuated to Oxford and stayed with none other than CS Lewis, the mastermind behind Narnia. It was during this time that she inspired the beloved character of Lucy in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Her acting career was just as impressive. Jill was a force in regional theatre, running two companies in Suffolk, and her last film role was as the Downing Street housekeeper in Love Actually. Her daily ritual? A glass of red wine and a packet of crisps, with morning tap-dancing during the lockdown – what a legend!
Emma, married to Richard Curtis of Love Actually and Four Weddings fame, painted a moving picture of her mum as a fiercely passionate woman, beloved by hundreds of actors she worked with over 30 years.
Reflecting on her mum’s legacy, Emma shared that Jill was not just a mother of five but also a grandmother to 17 and a great-grandmother to 7. Feisty, mischievous, and kind, Jill touched everyone she met.
Heaven has truly gained a dazzling newcomer. Cheers to a life lived to the fullest, Jill! 💔✨