“I Wish We Had More Children,” Judi Dench Reflects On Her Biggest Regret In Life

Judi Dench, the veteran actress, has become one of the most respected actresses of her generation, receiving numerous awards and accolades. But, like the rest of us, she has regrets in her personal life. And we're here to shine a light on her biggest regret and perhaps learn something from it with you.

#1 The first time, Judi declined her husband’s proposal.

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Dench married Michael at the age of 36. During an interview, she revealed that Michael, the man with the key to her heart, had twice asked for her hand in marriage. They eventually married in 1971 and had one child, Finty. At the age of 37, she became a first-time mother.

#2 The 30-year-long marriage was all about bliss and joy.

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Michael Williams and Dame Judi had been married for 30 years when Williams died in 2001 at the age of 65 of lung cancer. Dench revealed that her 30-year happy marriage to Mike was effortless and based on "luck." "I don't think we ever had to work at it," Dench said.
Dench, on the other hand, chose to continue her acting career, and she went on to become one of the most successful and acclaimed actresses of all time, receiving numerous honors and awards for her work in theater, film, and television.

#3 A year after they married, the couple became parents.

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On September 4, 1972, the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Finty (now 50). Dench admitted that after having her child, she considered quitting her job to be a stay-at-home mom: “I’d had a daughter and having a family — I wanted to be at home.”
However, Williams advised her against it, so she made an effort to change her work schedule in order to spend more time with her newborn baby girl. And we are overjoyed that she did!

#4 Recalling her past, Judi now has one big regret.

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Looking back, Dench got candid that her biggest regret was not having more kids:  “I wish we’d had lots more children. That’s the only regret I have. But I was older, and it didn’t happen.”
She also disclosed that they attempted to adopt a child and “they didn’t like it because we were over 40 — and Michael was a Catholic and I was a Quaker.”