Richard E Grant shares heartfelt statement as his mother dies aged 93 following 'incredibly complicated' relationship

Richard E Grant

Richard E Grant has announced the death of his mother

PA
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 21/07/2023

- 08:15

Updated: 21/07/2023

- 10:39

The Oscar-nominated actor shared a lengthy video to his social media on Thursday evening as he broke the news

Richard E Grant's mother has died at the age of 93 as the actor revealed he received a series of missed calls during one of his latest filming projects.

Taking to Twitter, Grant recorded himself reflecting on his loss as he delved into the details of their "complicated" relationship.


The actor captioned the clip: "Complicated gratitude to my Mother, who died this morning at the age of 93, for giving me the Gift of Life."

In the clip itself, Grant explained: "During a filming break this morning I saw that I had eight missed calls from Africa and knew weirdly why, which proved to be that my 93-year-old mother died this morning.

"We had an incredibly complicated relationship. And she was somebody that for me anyway, emotionally withdrawn and withheld her approvation or approval of anything.

"So nothing was ever quite good enough, but what that proved to be was a great motor for ambition and determination to try and prove yourself be the best you possible can, and ironically whatever she did she demanded and got applause, approval from everybody around her, including me.

Richard E Grant on Twitter

Richard E Grant shared a lengthy video announcing his mother's death online

TWITTER/RICHARD E GRANT

"I went to stay with her for a couple of weeks, six weeks after my wife had died, with Covid restrictions being lifted, and she sent me a very terse email at the end of the trip, saying, 'I regret to say your visit was an absolute disaster, we only have two things in common, books and classical music.'

"So whereas she was very physically untactile, I've gone (to) the opposite extreme and been a very tactile and loving father and husband I suppose in response to that.

"Do I feel sadness that she has died? I feel resignation more than anything. But most of all gratitude for having given me life," he concluded as he smiled upon his reflection

Before long, his followers shared their messages of condolences, with one fan replying: "I’m so sorry for your loss Richard. I lost mine in 2020. Lots of love to you."

Another weighed in: "Very sorry for your loss Richard. Love to you and your family."

While a third echoed: "May she Rest In Peace. My prayers to you and the family… Most of all, thank you…"

And a fourth added: "My condolences, good sir. Losing a parent is never easy, regardless of how well or off things were.

Richard E Grant at the BAFTAS

Richard E Grant's wife Joan Washington died in 2021

PA

"And thank you for your touching words. Resignation and gratitude better describe how I've felt over the last few years as I too have grieved the loss of my parents."

Grant suffered tragic loss before in September 2021 when his beloved wife Joan Washington died following a battle with lung cancer.

The pair had been married for 35 years before Washington's death at the age of 71.

Grant has been vocal about his struggles with grief following the loss of his other half, admitting on his birthday later that year he was "still in denial" she wasn't alive.

Earlier this year, Grant was chosen to host the BAFTAs and became overwhelmed with emotion when introducing the In Memoriam segment as he continued to cope with his loss.

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