Judi Dench 'Loathes' National Treasure Title, Has No Plans to Retire

Dame Judi Dench, 91, has revealed she strongly dislikes being referred to as a "national treasure," stating that the term makes her feel like a "dusty old relic." The acclaimed British actress conveyed this sentiment, emphasizing her lack of retirement plans and her aspiration to continue her career.

Dench, who has an extensive portfolio in both film and theater, shared her views in a recent interview. She expressed frustration with being asked about retirement, stating, "'Retire', 'vintage', 'old' — let’s banish those words." Instead, she hopes to emulate the dedication of individuals like Newton Blick, who reportedly died in his dressing room after a performance, and wishes to "be one of those women who throw themselves out of planes when they’re 100."

The Academy Award winner was diagnosed with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) in 2012. This condition, a leading cause of vision loss in individuals over 50, can lead to rapid central vision loss. Despite this diagnosis, Dench is committed to her work.

She explained to The Times that she manages her condition by relying on others and by acting as if she does not have it, admitting, "I’m quite good at acting as if I can see." Learning her lines has also become a different process, as she can no longer read scripts. However, with the assistance of friends and additional preparation time, she has found ways to "somehow muddle through."

Last December, Dench voiced concerns about potential memory loss and losing her grip due to her deteriorating eyesight. She admitted in an interview with Radio Times that she can no longer see television and depends on her assistants for daily tasks. "It's a crusher," she said, referring to the advanced "wet" stage of AMD in both eyes, which is beyond treatment.

While she misses watching programs like "Mastermind," she can still hear the questions. The actress has had to give up driving, embroidery, and going out alone. Nevertheless, she continues to work by having friends and colleagues read her scripts aloud, which she then memorizes using her photographic memory. She noted a difficulty in remembering future plans, stating, "I can’t remember what I’m looking for tomorrow, I swear to you," and acknowledged fears of "losing the plot."

To aid her work, Dench has been using high-tech spectacles equipped with artificial intelligence. These RayBan Meta glasses, costing around £300, feature a camera that can read scripts and convert text to speech, playing an audio feed only she can hear. This technology was brought to her attention by Sight for Surrey, a vision loss charity of which she is a patron. A source indicated that these glasses are an ideal tool for Dench, enabling her to continue her career without the need for constant assistance.