Actor Sean Connery died at the age of 90 this weekend. Popular for starring in the James Bond franchise, Sean was a sought-after talent. He left behind a son, Jason Connery, whom he had with his first wife. He was also survived by his current wife, Micheline Roquebrune, whom he married in 1975.
Micheline gave some details about her husband's final days, and it seems as if he had been staying out of the spotlight due to health issues. She revealed that he was suffering from dementia and wasn't the same as he used to be. While she's sad over the loss, she has acknowledged that it was time. Sean was no longer enjoying his life the way he did years prior.
"It was no life for him," she said, per Daily Mail. "He was not able to express himself latterly. At least he died in his sleep and it was just so peaceful. I was with him all the time and he just slipped away. It was what he wanted. He had dementia and it took its toll on him. He got his final wish to slip away without any fuss."
She also took the time to express how much Sean meant to her. It seems as if they were true soulmates, until the very end.
"He was gorgeous and we had a wonderful life together," she continued. "He was a model of a man. It is going to be very hard without him, I know that. But it could not last forever and he went peacefully." Micheline, who was officially tied to Sean for 45 years, spent her career as a Moroccan-French painter. She's currently 91.
Sean didn't get his start in the acting world all that easily. He actually left school at the age of 14 to become a milkman. He even used a horse-drawn cart to make his deliveries. Two years later, he signed up for the Royal Navy — but didn't last long. He was discharged after three years because he suffered from a stomach ulcer.
From there, he worked more on strengthening his body and got into modeling — specifically for the Edinburgh College of Art. He got his start in acting after a friend convinced him to try out for the play South Pacific. He had a small role, but then built up his résumé from there. He lived an interesting life. Fame more or less found him.
James Bond was the role that catapulted him into the spotlight. Even the current James Bond, Daniel Craig, had nothing but kind words to say about Sean's famous portrayal. "The wit and charm he portrayed on screen could be measured in mega watts; he helped create the modern blockbuster," Daniel said, per the BBC.
Sean's son, Jason, also had a few touching words to say about his father. He confirmed that his dad died peacefully in the Bahamas and "had many of his family, who could be in the Bahamas, around him" when he passed. While Jason knew the day would come, it still came as a shock.
"We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time," Jason said. "A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor." According to Sean's publicist, a memorial will be planned once the threat of the virus has lessened.
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who both worked with Sean on the James Bond films, were also heartbroken to hear the news. "He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words 'the name's Bond… James Bond,'" they said in a statement. Based on polls, Sean was one of the most popular actors to take on the role.
In fact, he was so good that he was hired on twice. After proving his popularity, he ended his run as James Bond the first time right after the film You Only Live Twice. His reason, aside from some financial disputes, was that he felt like the character hadn't grown and the plots were becoming too similar. He cared about his character enough to back away from further projects.
That led to another actor being hired — George Lazenby. George starred in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and at the time, trailers did their best to promote the switch. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, trailers for the film opened with, "If you think you know your Bond, think again. This one's different."
The movie was tongue in cheek, and George had a lot of talent — but it didn't work out. The producers did their best to bring Sean Connery back to the franchise, and he accepted. "He revolutionised the world with his gritty and witty portrayal of the sexy and charismatic secret agent," continued Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli in their statement. "He is undoubtedly largely responsible for the success of the film series and we shall be forever grateful to him."
While a star and a legend on screen, Sean also had his fair share of problems off screen. His relationship with his first wife, actress Diane Cilento, was often violent. Diane came out with these accusations in 2005. "There was physical contact, but it is important to see it in context," she told The Scotsman. "You have got to remember he was probably twice my weight."
That matches up to an awkward interview that Sean had with Playboy back in 1965. He admitted that he had no issue with hitting women. "I don't think there is anything particularly wrong about hitting a woman — although I don't recommend doing it in the same way that you'd hit a man," he said, per Yahoo. "An openhanded slap is justified — if all other alternatives fail and there has been plenty of warning. If a woman is a [expletive], or hysterical, or bloody-minded continually, then I'd do it."
As Yahoo reports, the interview in question could have been career-ending — and would have been, had it happened today. It's a reminder that people can, and should, grow. Sean's career got even bigger, since he was electric on screen. It's just a shame that he had to suffer for years outside of the spotlight.
Hopefully, Sean Connery's family is able to rest peacefully and mourn appropriately. Every time they want to revisit him, they have his repertoire of movies to reflect on. Dementia is a cruel diagnosis, and it's hard for everyone to see someone who was once so vibrant start to crumble.
