February 5,1971

Judi Dench & Michael Williams

Dame Judi Dench & her late husband Sir Michael Williams were both actors that met while they were in the Royal Shakespeare Company. They were friends for nine years before the two nixed their platonic ways and moved into couplehood!

One night, Judi was performing The Winter’s Tale in Australia and Michael surprised her onstage as an “extra.” Though he proposed during that trip Judi told him to wait; something was telling her it wasn’t the right time. Michael didn’t have to wait long! Soon after, on a rainy night in Battersea, close to London, he proposed and she said yes!

The two got married February 5th, 1971 in England and the reception was held at a zoo!

After years of performing together, this very talented and generous couple’s marriage ended after 30 years, when Michael passed away from lung cancer in 2001.Since then, Judi had continued to enlighten and inspire her millions of fans on screen and off with her strong support of the arts.

Check below for a clip from Judi & Michael’s sitcom A Fine Romance!