Dame Judi Dench 'Loathes' Title of National Treasure, Vows to Work Until the End

Dame Judi Dench, the acclaimed 91-year-old British actress, has expressed a strong dislike for being referred to as a "national treasure," stating that the term makes her feel like a "dusty old relic." Dench revealed her aversion to the honorific title in a recent interview, emphasizing her continued commitment to her acting career and her hope to continue working until her final days.

Dench, who has an extensive portfolio in both film and theater, struggles with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition diagnosed in 2012 that affects central vision. Despite this, she maintains a proactive approach to her work, drawing parallels to her mother's method of coping by relying on others and downplaying the condition. "I’m quite good at acting as if I can see," she remarked.

To manage her diagnosis, Dench has adapted her script-learning process. Unable to read scripts directly, she now relies on friends and colleagues to read lines aloud, utilizing her photographic memory to commit them to memory. "I want to be one of those women who throw themselves out of planes when they’re 100," she said, rejecting the notion of retirement and embracing a dynamic approach to her later career.

The actress also candidly discussed the challenges posed by her deteriorating eyesight and short-term memory loss, admitting she fears "will lose the plot." She now depends on assistants for many daily tasks and can no longer drive, engage in embroidery, or go out alone. However, she remains engaged with programs like "Mastermind" by listening to the questions.

In an effort to aid her work, Dench has adopted high-tech spectacles featuring artificial intelligence. These glasses, costing approximately £300, can read scripts aloud via a text-to-speech function, potentially reducing her reliance on assistants and enabling her to continue performing.

"Retire", "vintage", "old" — let’s banish those words," Dench stated, expressing a desire to emulate figures like Newton Blick, who reportedly died in his dressing room after a performance. This sentiment underscores her passion for acting and her commitment to remaining an active participant in the arts.