Kate Beckinsale has shared the heartbreaking news that her mother, actress Judy Loe, has died at the age of 78.
In an emotional Instagram post, the 51-year-old revealed that her mother passed away earlier this week “after immeasurable suffering,” just 18 months after the death of Kate’s stepfather, director Roy Battersby, who died in January 2024.
Posting a series of personal photos, Beckinsale admitted she felt “paralysed” by the loss.
While a cause of death has not been confirmed, the Pearl Harbor star has previously spoken about her mother’s long battle with cancer.
Paying tribute, Kate described her mum as “brave in so many ways,” praising her kindness and strength.
“Forgiving sometimes too much, believing in the ultimate good in people,” she wrote. “The world is so dim without her that it is nearly impossible to bear. Mama, I love you so much.”
She wrote in a caption: “I don’t want to post this. I am only posting this because I have had to register my mother‘s death certificate and it will soon become public record.
“She died the night of July 15th in my arms after immeasurable suffering. I have not picked all the best photos, nor the best videos, because I cannot bear to go through my camera roll yet.”
“I deeply apologise to any of her friends who are finding out this way or through the press, but I cannot go through her phone,” she continued.
“I am paralysed. Jude was the compass of my life ,the love of my life, my dearest friend. The vastness and huge heart of this tiny woman has touched so many people who love her dearly.”
Beckinsale also reflected on the compounded grief of losing both parents.
Her father, actor Richard Beckinsale, died suddenly in 1979 at the age of 31.
“My greatest fear as a child has come true,” she wrote.
She also expressed deep gratitude to her mother’s closest friends for their support, writing: “But I want my mum’s dearest and oldest friends in her hospital room with her.
“(Sylvia) and Chris, please know I’m trying to keep the Four Teens going as best as I can from a distance and I love you both.”
She added a moment of levity, jokingly apologising to hospital staff for being “subject to [her] dreadful singing,” before continuing to praise her mother’s unwavering love and lifelong friendships.
“It is a mark of my mother’s extraordinary capacity for love and deep respect for relationship history that her friendships with her early school friends are still so very current,” she wrote.
“Love you all, but most especially my mum.”
