Prunella Scales: Iconic 'Fawlty Towers' Actress Dies at 93

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Veteran actress Prunella Scales passed away at the age of 93 on October 27, 2025.

The star of the legendary sitcom "Fawlty Towers" passed away peacefully at her home in London, England.

The sad news was announced by her two sons, Samuel West and Joseph West, who stated that their mother passed away after a years-long battle with vascular dementia.

Although she retired from acting due to her health, Prunella Scales remains remembered for her extraordinary contributions over nearly seven decades.

Her role as Sybil Fawlty, Basil Fawlty's domineering and iconic wife, has becomes an icon in TV series history.

Prunella Scales -- the beloved British actress best known for her role on the '70s sitcom "Fawlty Towers" -- has died at the age of 93.Read more: https://t.co/loetL1CeyK pic.twitter.com/KB5U0MXV52

— TMZ (@TMZ) October 29, 2025

Prunella Scales passed away on Monday, October 27, 2025, at her home in London, at the age of 93.

An official statement from her family stated that she passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

While the family did not release a specific cause of death, it is known that Prunella Scales had been diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013.

Her sons, Samuel and Joseph West, shared that vascular dementia causes reduced blood flow to the brain, resulting in an inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrients.

They also revealed that Prunella Scales had watched "Fawlty Towers" the day before her death.

Her husband, Timothy West, died in November 2024, after 51 years of marriage.

Born Prunella Margaret Rumney West Scales (née Illingworth) on June 22, 1932, in Sutton Abinger, Surrey, England, Prunella Scales began her acting career in 1952.

For nearly 70 years, she has starred in numerous television, film, and theater productions.

Her most iconic and widely recognized role was as Sybil Fawlty in the BBC sitcom "Fawlty Towers," which aired from 1975 to 1979.

Sybil's assertive and often sarcastic character was the perfect partner for John Cleese's Basil Fawlty.

In addition to "Fawlty Towers," Prunella Scales also earned praise for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in Alan Bennett's 1991 drama "A Question of Attribution," which earned her a BAFTA nomination.

She was also twice nominated for the Laurence Olivier Awards and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1992 for her contributions to drama.

Off-screen, Prunella Scales led a colorful life. She married actor Timothy West in 1963, and they had two sons, Samuel West and Joseph West.

She also had a stepdaughter from Timothy West's first marriage.

With her husband, Prunella Scales starred in the popular documentary series "Great Canal Journeys" from 2014 to 2019.

In the series, they explored various waterways in the UK and abroad, and candidly documented Prunella's struggle with dementia, which received widespread public acclaim.

In addition to her acting career, Scales was also a well-known Labour Party activist and served as president of the Council for the Protection of Rural England.

Her biography, "Prunella," written by Teresa Ransom, was published in 2005, providing an in-depth look at her life journey.