British actress Prunella Scales, renowned for her role as the sharp-tongued Sybil Fawlty in the iconic comedy series “Fawlty Towers,” passed away at the age of 93, as confirmed by her children on Tuesday. Scales, who had been battling dementia, peacefully departed at her residence in London on Monday.

Her sons, Samuel and Joseph West, shared that despite her retirement due to dementia after a distinguished acting career spanning almost 70 years, she remained at home, even watching episodes of “Fawlty Towers” until her final day.

Scales’ acting journey included early appearances in films like “Pride and Prejudice” in 1952 and the comedy “Hobson’s Choice” in 1954, followed by a television role in the 1960s sitcom “Marriage Lines.” In “Fawlty Towers,” she portrayed the exasperated wife of the bumbling Basil Fawlty, played by John Cleese, in a series known for its chaotic humor.

Cleese, the creator of “Fawlty Towers,” praised Scales as a brilliant comedic actress and a delightful person. The show, consisting of only 12 episodes aired between 1975 and 1979, is often lauded as one of the best British sitcoms of all time.

In addition to her iconic role in “Fawlty Towers,” Scales portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in “A Question of Attribution” and Queen Victoria in the one-woman show “An Evening with Queen Victoria.” She was married to actor Timothy West for 61 years until his passing in November 2024.

Scales, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013, gained recognition for her candid portrayal of her condition in the travel series “Great Canal Journeys,” which she co-hosted with her late husband. She is survived by her sons, stepdaughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The BBC and fellow artists paid tribute to her lasting impact on British television and entertainment.