🎬Actors & Entertainment

Penelope Keith

British · 86 years old · Died 2 May 2026

Actress — The Good Life, To the Manor Born

Cause of death

Cancer

Dame Penelope Keith was a British national treasure, best known for playing the snobbish but lovable Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life and Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in To the Manor Born. Her impeccable comic timing made her one of the most popular television actresses of the 1970s and 80s. She later served as High Sheriff of Surrey and was appointed DBE for her services to the arts and charity.

How common is cancer (all types)?

Penelope Keith died of cancer. Globally, cancer (all types) kills 10,000,000 people every year — that is 27,397 per day, or roughly one person every 3 seconds. It accounts for 16% of all deaths worldwide.

Deaths / year

10,000,000

Deaths / day

27,397

Deaths / hour

1,142

Deaths / second

0.32

Share of all global deaths

16%

Risk factors for cancer (all types)

Tobacco use
Alcohol
UV radiation
Obesity
Carcinogens
Genetic factors
Air pollution

Since Penelope Keith died

Live count since 2 May 2026

Total deaths worldwide since then

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Deaths from same cause since then

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Other notable deaths in 2026