In 2013, Helen Mirren, 81, joined the fight to save Italy's ancient olive trees as deadly bacteria devastated millions of trees
Oscar-winning actor Helen Mirren is using her public platform to draw attention to an environmental crisis threatening some of Italy’s oldest olive trees. In the southern region of Puglia, the spread of Xylella fastidiosa , a destructive bacterial pathogen, has killed an estimated 22 million olive trees since 2013. The outbreak has damaged farmers’ livelihoods, thrown traditional olive oil production off track and put trees that are hundreds of years old at risk.
For Mirren, the issue is deeply personal. She and her husband, filmmaker Taylor Hackford, own a historic farmhouse in Puglia, where the disease has affected the surrounding landscape. Through Save the Olives , an organisation she co-founded, the actor is campaigning to preserve surviving trees and encourage research into ways to protect the region’s olive-growing heritage.
Speaking to PEOPLE about the lack of public attention surrounding the crisis, Mirren said, “It's amazing how people want to put on blinkers and pretend it's not happening.”
Helen Mirren’s personal connection to Italy’s olive treesMirren and Hackford purchased a 16th-century farmhouse in Puglia in 2007. Their connection to the countryside brought them close to the olive groves that have shaped the region for generations.
The bacterium was first detected in southern Italy in 2013. It spreads between plants through insects, including spittlebugs, and can interfere with a tree’s ability to transport water. Infected trees may develop scorched leaves, drying branches, and, in severe cases, die.
Mirren recalled that she and others initially believed the disease would not reach their property. That assumption proved wrong, and the infection ultimately destroyed the trees in their grove.
The experience helped motivate her conservation work. It also made the wider devastation more difficult to overlook, particularly as ancient olive trees began disappearing from the surrounding countryside.
Why Save the Olives was established?Mirren co-founded Save the Olives to raise awareness about the disease and help people distinguish scientific information from misinformation. In the interview, she explained that the organisation began by trying to make reliable information about the crisis more widely available.
She has also stressed the extraordinary age of the trees under threat. Some specimens are believed to have survived for approximately 1,500 years, connecting modern communities with landscapes that existed during the Roman era.
Calling attention to their historical importance, Mirren made an urgent appeal: “We have to save these trees.”
Her concern extends beyond individual trees. Olive cultivation supports farmers, agricultural workers and businesses that depend on the production of olive oil. The destruction of groves therefore threatens both the region’s economy and a cultural tradition that has developed over centuries.
How can people help protect the ancient olive trees?Save the Olives has introduced a tree-adoption programme to help fund conservation work. According to the organisation, a contribution of €500 can support the costly process of grafting bacteria-resistant olive varieties onto endangered trees. Participants can name an adopted tree and receive photographs and its GPS location.
Grafting involves attaching material from a resistant variety to an existing tree. When undertaken at the appropriate stage, the technique may help preserve an ancient trunk while encouraging new growth. However, it is not a universal cure, and its success depends on the tree’s condition and the timing of the intervention.
The organisation is also supporting the development of new olive varieties that can resist the disease while producing high-quality oil. Mirren stressed why this work matters, noting that olive oil is a big deal for Italy’s economy.
The research offers a possible route towards restoring damaged agricultural areas, although continued scientific investigation and practical support for farmers remain essential.
Helen Mirren hopes to preserve Italy’s living heritageFor Mirren, the campaign is about protecting something that cannot simply be replaced by planting young trees. Ancient olive groves are part of Puglia’s identity, reflecting generations of farming, cultural traditions and a long relationship between people and the land.
Her advocacy has helped bring international attention to the crisis, but conservation will require sustained work from researchers, farmers, organisations and public authorities.
Mirren described the trees as extraordinary natural treasures. Her message is a good reminder that looking after the environment also means protecting the history, jobs and traditions that come with it.
Helen Mirren’s career beyond the screenHelen Mirren has built a distinguished career spanning film, television and theatre. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen (2006) and has also received major recognition for her performances in productions such as Prime Suspect. Beyond acting, Mirren has used her public profile to support causes close to her, including efforts to protect Puglia’s ancient olive trees. Her involvement reflects a personal connection to the Italian region and its cultural and natural heritage.
For Mirren, the issue is deeply personal. She and her husband, filmmaker Taylor Hackford, own a historic farmhouse in Puglia, where the disease has affected the surrounding landscape. Through Save the Olives , an organisation she co-founded, the actor is campaigning to preserve surviving trees and encourage research into ways to protect the region’s olive-growing heritage.
Speaking to PEOPLE about the lack of public attention surrounding the crisis, Mirren said, “It's amazing how people want to put on blinkers and pretend it's not happening.”
Helen Mirren’s personal connection to Italy’s olive treesMirren and Hackford purchased a 16th-century farmhouse in Puglia in 2007. Their connection to the countryside brought them close to the olive groves that have shaped the region for generations.
The bacterium was first detected in southern Italy in 2013. It spreads between plants through insects, including spittlebugs, and can interfere with a tree’s ability to transport water. Infected trees may develop scorched leaves, drying branches, and, in severe cases, die.
Mirren recalled that she and others initially believed the disease would not reach their property. That assumption proved wrong, and the infection ultimately destroyed the trees in their grove.
The experience helped motivate her conservation work. It also made the wider devastation more difficult to overlook, particularly as ancient olive trees began disappearing from the surrounding countryside.
Why Save the Olives was established?Mirren co-founded Save the Olives to raise awareness about the disease and help people distinguish scientific information from misinformation. In the interview, she explained that the organisation began by trying to make reliable information about the crisis more widely available.
She has also stressed the extraordinary age of the trees under threat. Some specimens are believed to have survived for approximately 1,500 years, connecting modern communities with landscapes that existed during the Roman era.
Calling attention to their historical importance, Mirren made an urgent appeal: “We have to save these trees.”
Her concern extends beyond individual trees. Olive cultivation supports farmers, agricultural workers and businesses that depend on the production of olive oil. The destruction of groves therefore threatens both the region’s economy and a cultural tradition that has developed over centuries.
How can people help protect the ancient olive trees?Save the Olives has introduced a tree-adoption programme to help fund conservation work. According to the organisation, a contribution of €500 can support the costly process of grafting bacteria-resistant olive varieties onto endangered trees. Participants can name an adopted tree and receive photographs and its GPS location.
Grafting involves attaching material from a resistant variety to an existing tree. When undertaken at the appropriate stage, the technique may help preserve an ancient trunk while encouraging new growth. However, it is not a universal cure, and its success depends on the tree’s condition and the timing of the intervention.
The organisation is also supporting the development of new olive varieties that can resist the disease while producing high-quality oil. Mirren stressed why this work matters, noting that olive oil is a big deal for Italy’s economy.
The research offers a possible route towards restoring damaged agricultural areas, although continued scientific investigation and practical support for farmers remain essential.
Helen Mirren hopes to preserve Italy’s living heritageFor Mirren, the campaign is about protecting something that cannot simply be replaced by planting young trees. Ancient olive groves are part of Puglia’s identity, reflecting generations of farming, cultural traditions and a long relationship between people and the land.
Her advocacy has helped bring international attention to the crisis, but conservation will require sustained work from researchers, farmers, organisations and public authorities.
Mirren described the trees as extraordinary natural treasures. Her message is a good reminder that looking after the environment also means protecting the history, jobs and traditions that come with it.
Helen Mirren’s career beyond the screenHelen Mirren has built a distinguished career spanning film, television and theatre. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen (2006) and has also received major recognition for her performances in productions such as Prime Suspect. Beyond acting, Mirren has used her public profile to support causes close to her, including efforts to protect Puglia’s ancient olive trees. Her involvement reflects a personal connection to the Italian region and its cultural and natural heritage.
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