Peirce Brosnan has seen generations of women swoon over him over the years – from everything including his role as the macho, handsome James Bond to the kind, silver foxed Sam in the Mama Mia! films.
But despite his decades in the spotlight in an industry renowned for bitter divorce rows and public relationship drama, the Irish actor, 71, has enjoyed an enduring romance with his wife.
The A-lister that had Halle Berry claiming he ‘restored her faith in men’ has been with 61-year-old philanthropist Keely Shaye Smith since 1994 – and seven years later, they wed in 2001.
The couple have two children together and fans have been won over by the film legend’s ardent public admiration of his life partner – who he has dubbed his ‘North Star’.
After starring in a few small roles in TV and film throughout the 1980s, Keely transitioned to journalism and documentary filmmaking as she joined the crusade for protecting marine wildlife and saving the oceans.
The campaigner – who recently showed off an incredible weight loss, estimated to be around 100lbs – grew up in Oahu, Hawaii, and has dedicated much of her work to protecting the oceans surrounding the pacific island as well as in Mexico.
Upon meeting Pierce in Mexico in 1994, Keely told People that she immediately found the Bond actor ‘captivating’ and that he had a ‘mischievous sparkle in his eyes’.
In the same interview, the actor said of his wife: ‘I found a great woman in Keely Shaye. Not if I searched a million times over would I find one as good.’
The A-lister that had Halle Berry claiming he ‘restored her faith in men’ has been with 61-year-old philanthropist Keely Shaye Smith since 1994 – and seven years later, they wed in 2001. Both pictured on Monday
Upon meeting Pierce in Mexico in 1994, Keely told People that she immediately found the Bond actor ‘captivating’ and that he had a ‘mischievous sparkle in his eyes’. Pictured in 19996
The campaigner – who recently showed off an incredible weight loss , estimated to be around 100lbs – grew up in Oahu, Hawaii , and has dedicated much of her work to protecting the oceans surrounding the pacific island as well as in Mexico. Pictured in 1995
But despite his decades in the spotlight in an industry renowned for bitter divorce rows and public relationship drama, the Irish actor, 71, has enjoyed an enduring romance with his wife. Both pictured in 1996
The A-lister that had Halle Berry claiming he ‘restored her faith in men’ has been with 61-year-old philanthropist Keely Shaye Smith since 1994 – and seven years later, they wed in 2001. Keely and Pierce in 2018
As fans became captivated by the couple’s love story, they have been particularly touched by how Keely, who shares sons Paris and Dylan with the actor, has supported her husband as he continued to grieve over his first wife.
Cassandra Harris, whom he wed in 1980, tragically died in 1991, a day after their 11th wedding anniversary, from ovarian cancer at the age of 39.
The Australian-born actress, known as Cassie to friends and family, already had a daughter named Charlotte and a son called Christopher when she met Pierce. After their biological father Dermot Harris died in 1986, Pierce officially adopted the children.
In 1983, the couple also welcomed their son, Sean William Brosnan.
After Cassandra’s tragic death when Charlotte was 20, Christopher was 19 and Sean was just eight years old, Pierce spoke of how her memory lived on.
He told People in 1992: ‘She has made me the man I am, the actor I am, the father I am. She’s forever embedded in every fibre of my being. She’s there with me every day. I was so blessed to have met someone like that.’
In September 2023, as Keely turned 60, Pierce posted a sweet snap of himself and his wife in front of a huge bouquet of flowers
He also spoke of the ‘incredible cruelty’ of losing someone so close to him and with whom he shared so much.
‘This is the first time in my life I’ve ever experienced bereavement, and it’s overwhelming,’ he said.
As he spoke about Cassandra’s 18 month-long battle with the aggressive cancer in raw detail, he revealed how their youngest son Sean would ‘play doctor’ and would nurse his mother after chemotherapy sessions when she was feeling nauseous and fatigued.
He also recalled the heartbreaking moment his wife of 14 years died in his arms while Charlotte, who was studying at RADA in London at the time, was on the phone and Christopher joined him in the room.
‘We were all together. And that’s how she went to God,’ he said.
And speaking to the Irish Times in 2013, Pierce has praised Keely and how she has supported him in grieving past tragedies.
‘Keely has always been kind and compassionate and encouraged me to mourn Cassie,’ he explained. ‘I suppose Keely is my North Star, always looking out for me.’
And she also supported her husband through more immeasurable grief, when his eldest daughter Charlotte died in 2013 from ovarian cancer, the same disease which claimed her mother’s life 21 years earlier. She was just 42 years old.
The actor pictured in 2006 alongside children Christopher (far left), Charlotte (centre left), and Sean (far right) as well as his mother Mary May (centre right)
Charlotte passed away at the age of just 42 on June 28, 2013 after a battle with ovarian cancer (Pierce and Charlotte pictured together in 2006)
Announcing her death in a statement, Pierce said: ‘On June 28 my darling daughter Charlotte Emily passed on to eternal life, having succumbed to ovarian cancer.
‘She was surrounded by her husband Alex, children Isabella and Lucas and brothers Christopher and Sean.
‘Charlotte fought her cancer with grace and humanity, courage and dignity. Our hearts are heavy with the loss of our beautiful dear girl.
‘We pray for her and that the cure for this wretched disease will be close at hand soon. We thank everyone for their heartfelt condolences.’
The Irish actor reportedly flew back from Eastern Europe, where he had been filming spy thriller November Man, to the UK to be at his daughter’s bedside.
Later that year, he told the Irish Mirror how his wife had helped him through yet more grief for Charlotte.
‘Love is just the most beautiful, joyous feeling. It can come from many places. Hopefully the one who is beside you, the one who is there on the pillow beside you in the morning – my wife,’ he said.
He added: ‘We seem to do well at being together and being in love and, more importantly, liking each other. The like factor is a great thing. Love cannot burn constantly.
Pierce Brosnan marked the seventh anniversary of his daughter Charlotte’s death with a touching post on Instagram in 2020
‘It’s very hard for it to be so intense. But it’s wonderful. I tell her I love her everyday. It’s important to say that.’
Pierce and Keely’s love has endured despite his star continuing to rise, while she has taken a quieter path in her career in more recent years.
And while, at every corner of the internet (and no doubt, the real world), Pierce has admirers aplenty, his head has never turned.
He often shares his love for and devotion to Keely on Instagram where the couple celebrate milestones including anniversaries and birthdays.
In September 2023, as Keely turned 60, Pierce posted a sweet snap of himself and his wife in front of a huge bouquet of flowers.
Pierce wrote: ‘Sixty roses for my brown eyed girl on her 60th birthday. Forever happy and blessed was I to be sitting there when you walked around the corner early one morning in Cabo San Lucas.’
In August, celebrating his 23rd wedding anniversary with his wife, Pierce shared a collage of the couple over the years.
‘Happy 23rd anniversary my darling Keely my beautiful brown eyed girl, my north, my south, my east and west,’ he penned. ‘All my love, should I fall behind wait for me.’
Keely and Pierce share two sons, Dylan and Paris (pictured at his graduation)
Although he has admitted that long term relationships will always have ups and downs, Pierce and his wife Keely are more in love than ever 30 years after they first met
The couple, who split their time between Malibu in California and Hawaii, often post tributes to each other on social media
The pair recently enjoyed an outing on Monday night – for the MobLand premiere in New York City.
The 71-year-old actor – who was recently supported by granddaughter Isabella – looked dapper in a blue suit, white shirt, and silver tie with his short, white-gray hair slicked back.
Meanwhile Keely showed off her svelte silhouette in a lace mini dress with three-quarter sleeves.
The mother-of-two wore her long, straight, brunette locks loose and teased in a subtle pompadour.
His new drama series premiered on Paramount+ on March 30 and also stars Helen Mirren and Tom Hardy.
‘Power is up for grabs as two warring crime families clash in a battle that threatens to topple empires,’ reads a synopsis on IMDb.
It continues, ‘In the crossfire stands Harry Da Souza, a street-smart ‘fixer’ who knows too well where loyalties lie when opposing forces collide.’