Richard E Grant reveals his mother Leonne has died at the age of 93 as he reflects on their ‘complicated relationship’: ‘She always withheld her approval of anything’

Richard E Grant has revealed that his mother has died at the age of 93.

The 66-year-old actor shared the news of his passing in a lengthy Twitter video, reflecting on their ‘complicated’ relationship.

She captioned her post: “Complicated gratitude to my mother, who died this morning at the age of 93, for giving me the gift of life.”

In the video, Richard shared that his mother had passed away in Africa while he was filming, describing her as “emotionally withdrawn.”

She added that she “withheld her approval of anything” and that she felt “resignation” after her death, but ended her reflection by sharing her gratitude that she “gave him life.”

Insight: The actor, who described his mother as ‘untouched’, said he felt ‘resigned’ over her death, sharing his gratitude that she ‘gave him life’ (pictured with daughter Olivia)

Richard told his followers: “During a filming break this morning, I saw that I had eight missed calls from Africa and I strangely knew why, which turned out to be that my 93-year-old mother died this morning.”

“We had an incredibly complicated relationship, and she was someone who to me anyway, emotionally withdrawn, didn’t approve of anything.

“So nothing was good enough, but what it turned out to be was a great drive for ambition and determination to try to prove that you are the best you can be, and ironically, everything she demanded, she got.”

‘Applause, approval from everyone around him, including me.

I went to stay with her for a couple of weeks, six weeks after my wife died, with the Covid restrictions lifted, and she sent me a very brief email at the end of the trip, saying, “I’m sorry to say your visit was an absolute disaster, we only have two things in common, books and classical music.”

“She was very tactless physically, I’ve gone to the opposite extreme and been a very tactful and loving father and husband in response to that.

‘Do I feel sadness because she has died? I feel resignation more than anything. But above all gratitude for having given me life.’

Last year, Richard revealed that as a child, he accidentally saw his mother and her secret lover together, and his parents’ marriage broke up years later.

Reflection: She captioned her post: ‘Complicated thanks to my Mother, who died this morning at the age of 93, for giving me the Gift of Life’

Words: “She was very tactless physically, I’ve gone to the opposite extreme and been a very tactful, loving father and husband in response to that,” he said.

Speaking on Desert Island Discs, he said: “Inadvertently, I saw my mother fucking my father’s best friend in the front seat of a car one night.”

“We were coming back from a cricket match and I was obviously asleep in the back seat and then woke up to the rhythmic movements of the car, something you can imagine!

I tried God and got no response. Obviously I couldn’t tell my father or my mother or my friends, so to try to understand what had happened I started keeping a diary.

“And it’s still something I do every day to make sense of the world I live in.”

Richard and his mother were separated for many years before reconciling.

It comes after the Star Wars actor revealed earlier this month that, following the death of his wife of 30 years, Joan Washington, in 2021, he was putting his idyllic country home in the south of France up for sale.

Grant wrote on social media: “My heart aches to sell Le Pigeonnier in Provence after 30 summers. 7 seats. Swimming pool, badminton, olive and fruit trees.’

Last year, Grant spoke of his sadness upon returning to the property to go through Ms. Washington’s belongings.

He said: ‘Thirty-three years ago my wife and I bought a little house here in the south of France when my daughter was just six weeks old, and it’s very emotional to be here having to go through her clothes and deal with other things.

Heartbreaking: Richard’s wife, Joan Washington, a vocal coach, died in September 2021 just eight months after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

The family would visit the home with their 34-year-old daughter Olivia and Grant’s stepson Tom from Mrs Washington’s previous relationship.

Joan, a vocal coach, died in September 2021 just eight months after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

Announcing her death, Grant said alongside a video of him and his wife dancing: “Our hearts are broken over the loss of your life last night.

35 years married and 38 together. Being truly known and seen by you is your immeasurable gift. Forget us not, sweet Monkee-mine.