Downton Abbey actor dies after dementia diagnosis

If you’re a fan of Downton Abbey, you may remember her well.

Now, one of the undisputed greats of French cinema has passed away.

French screen legend Nathalie Baye has died at the age of 77, her family confirmed, marking the end of a remarkable career that spanned decades and crossed international borders.

The acclaimed actress passed away at her home in Paris on April 17 after living with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological condition that affects memory, movement, and can cause hallucinations.

Global recognition with Leonardo DiCaprio
According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition develops when abnormal protein deposits — known as Lewy bodies — build up in nerve cells in the brain, disrupting thinking, memory, and movement. It typically leads to a rapid decline in both mental and physical abilities, and many patients experience vivid visual hallucinations.