“I Wish We’d Had Lots More Children,” Judi Dench Reflects on Her Life’s Biggest Regret

The veteran star Judi Dench has become one of the most respected actresses of her generation, with numerous awards and accolades to her name. But just like every one of us, when it comes to her personal life, she has regrets. And we are here to shine the light on her biggest regret and maybe learn something from it along with you.

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

Dench married Michael when she was 36 years old. During an interview, she opened up that Michael, the one who held the key to her heart, had not once, but twice, asked for her hand in marriage. They eventually got married in 1971 and had one daughter named Finty. She became a first-time mother at the age of 37.

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

Michael Williams and Dame Judi were married for 30 years when Williams passed away in 2001 after a battle with lung cancer at age 65. Dench shared that her 30-year happy marriage to Mike was effortless and was based on “luck.” “I don’t think we ever had to work at it,” stated Dench.

However, Dench ultimately decided to continue her acting career, becoming one of the most successful and acclaimed actresses of all time, with numerous honors and prizes for her performances in theater, film, and television.

A year after they married, the couple became parents.

The loving couple had one child, daughter Finty (now 50), whom they welcomed on September 4, 1972. Dench admitted that she thought about giving up her job to be a stay-at-home mom after having her child: “I’d had a daughter and having a family — I wanted to be at home.”

However, Williams encouraged her against it, so instead, she made an effort to change her job schedule to allow for time with her newborn baby girl. And we are so happy she did!

Recalling her past, Judi now has one big regret.

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 revealed that they tried 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.”