Actor Miriam Margolyes Shares Rare Insight Into Nearly 60-Year Relationship With Partner Heather: ‘She’s My Person’

Miriam Margolyes, widely recognized for her role as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films and celebrated for her outspoken advocacy and vibrant personality, has opened up about her relationship with Heather Sutherland, her partner of almost 60 years. Margolyes, 83, has long been a fixture in British culture, admired not only for her acting talent but also for her candor and wit. Yet, despite her public persona, Margolyes has kept her relationship with Sutherland, a distinguished Australian academic, largely out of the spotlight—until now .

Speaking to PinkNews, Margolyes described Heather as “my person,” offering rare insight into the couple’s enduring connection. “We’ve never really done things the conventional way. Heather is my home, wherever she is,” Margolyes said. The pair’s relationship, which began in the mid-1960s, has traversed continents and careers, with Margolyes based primarily in London and Heather living in Amsterdam. Their ability to maintain a loving partnership while living apart has been a testament to their mutual respect and independence .

Heather Sutherland, now 82, is a retired professor of Indonesian studies, known for her academic research and publications about Southeast Asian history. Margolyes has often described Heather as “a wonderful, intelligent, ironic, sensitive, observant, brilliant woman” . The couple first met in the 1960s, sharing an immediate connection that has endured for nearly sixty years.

Though their careers took them to different parts of the world, Margolyes and Sutherland have sustained their relationship through frequent travel and shared holidays, including regular retreats in Tuscany and New South Wales. “We love our time together, but we’ve always needed our own space too. It’s what works for us,” Margolyes explained .

The couple’s decision to live separately for the majority of their relationship is rare but not unheard of, especially among LGBTQ+ couples of their generation who often faced societal pressures and legal barriers to cohabitation and marriage. Margolyes and Sutherland’s approach reflects both personal choice and the realities of the times they grew up in. “We did what felt right to us, not what was expected,” Margolyes told *Hello! Magazine* .

Recently, Margolyes revealed plans to finally move in together after more than five decades, marking a new chapter in their relationship. “After 54 years, we’re finally going to share a home full-time,” Margolyes said in an interview with *Star Observer* .

Margolyes’ openness about her relationship comes at a time when LGBTQ+ visibility is more important than ever. Her story serves as a beacon for those who may feel their love does not fit the mold, and for the older generation of LGBTQ+ people who have often seen their stories sidelined. “I was lucky enough to find someone who was prepared to love me. I’m not that lovable—I’m smelly and noisy and all that sort of thing. But she loves me and I want to be with her for the rest of my life, that’s all I want,” Margolyes said during a 2020 appearance on *This Morning* .

Their relationship also highlights the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ couples who came of age in an era when same-sex relationships were criminalized or stigmatized in many countries. Margolyes and Sutherland’s ability to maintain a loving, long-term partnership despite these obstacles underscores the resilience and diversity of LGBTQ+ love.

Beyond her personal life, Miriam Margolyes has been a tireless supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. As a public figure, she uses her platform to advocate for acceptance and inclusion, frequently discussing her sexuality and her experiences as a lesbian woman in the entertainment industry. Margolyes became an Australian citizen in 2013, a decision inspired in part by Heather’s deep ties to the country .

Margolyes’ story resonates with many in the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who have experienced love that defies convention. Her willingness to share her journey with Heather, even as they approach their 60th anniversary, is a powerful reminder that love comes in many forms and is not bound by traditional expectations.

As Margolyes and Sutherland prepare to mark nearly six decades together, their story stands as a testament to enduring love, mutual respect, and the importance of living authentically. Margolyes’ declaration that Heather is “my person” encapsulates the depth of their bond and the joy that comes from finding someone who truly understands and accepts you.

For many in the LGBTQ+ community, especially older individuals who may not see themselves represented in mainstream narratives, Margolyes and Sutherland’s relationship offers hope and affirmation. Their journey underscores the message that love can thrive on its own terms, regardless of age, distance, or societal expectations.

Margolyes’ continued visibility and her willingness to share her private life with the public not only enriches her legacy as a British national treasure but also strengthens the fabric of LGBTQ+ representation in media and culture.