Bond Girls Then and Now: The Women Who Defined 007’s World
There are few cinematic legacies as enduring as the Bond girl—those dazzling, enigmatic, and often formidable women who have graced the 007 franchise since we first saw Bond, James Bond on the big screen in Dr. No back in in 1962.
From the iconic Ursula Andress emerging from the sea to the golden-hued Shirley Eaton to the ice-cool Eva Green, these heroines (and villains) have shaped Bond’s world as much as his martinis and Aston Martins.
But where are they now? Some have sadly passed away, but some have remained Hollywood fixtures, while others stepped away from the limelight. In this retrospective, we revisit their journeys—celebrating their impact, charting their evolution, and seeing how time has treated these unforgettable icons of the silver screen.
Bond Girls Then and Now
The First Bond Girl: Ursula Andress
Let’s start with the original, Ursula Andress who defined the Bond girl archetype playing Honey Ryder in Dr. No (1962). Emerging from the Caribbean sea in a white bikini, knife strapped to her hip, Andress became an instant cinematic icon.
That single moment set the standard for Bond girls to come: beauty, mystery, and strength. Her performance, though understated, gave Honey Ryder a quiet resilience, proving she was more than just eye candy.
Andress leveraged her newfound fame into a career spanning decades. She starred in films like Casino Royale (1967), Clash of the Titans (1981), and a variety of European productions. Though Hollywood’s call diminished over time, her place in film history remained unshakable.
Now in her late 80s, Andress has largely retreated from the public eye, residing in Rome, Italy. Though she no longer courts the spotlight, her legacy endures, and the white bikini she wore in Dr. No was auctioned for over £40,000, a testament to the lasting power of that unforgettable entrance from the sea.
The Enigmatic Bond Girl: Daniela Bianchi
Daniela Bianchi brought elegance, innocence, and intrigue to the role of Tatiana Romanova in From Russia with Love (1963). As a Soviet cipher clerk unwittingly caught in a deadly game between MI6 and SPECTRE, Bianchi’s character was both a classic Bond damsel and an active participant in the plot.
Her chemistry with Sean Connery was undeniable, and her poised performance helped cement From Russia with Love as one of the franchise’s finest entries. Though her voice was dubbed due to her strong Italian accent, Bianchi’s striking beauty and sophisticated presence has made her an unforgettable Bond girl.
Before her Bond debut, Bianchi was a successful model and first runner-up in the 1960 Miss Universe pageant. After her Bond 2 fame, she appeared in several European films, often playing glamorous yet mysterious women.
Unlike some Bond actresses who sought lasting Hollywood fame, Bianchi’s career remained primarily in Italy and France, and by the early 1970s, she left acting altogether after marrying a shipping tycoon.
Now in her 80s, Bianchi leads a private life, rarely making public appearances, although her legacy as one of Bond’s most elegant and memorable leading ladies remains as captivating as ever.
The Golden Bond Girl: Shirley Eaton
Few images in cinema are as striking as Shirley Eaton’s golden transformation in Goldfinger (1964). As Jill Masterson, she met a memorable—and chilling—fate, suffocated in gold paint by the villainous Auric Goldfinger.
Though her screen time was brief, Eaton’s role became one of the most iconic in Bond history, symbolizing both the danger and allure of 007’s world. The image of her gilded body became a cultural phenomenon. Her golden body graced magazine covers, replica toys were made, and that very moment solidifying her place on any Bond Girls list.
Eaton was already an established actress before Goldfinger, with roles in British comedies and adventure films. Following Bond, she capitalized on her fame, starring in action films like Ten Little Indians (1965) and The Million Eyes of Sumuru (1967).
At the height of her success, however, she made the bold decision to step away from Hollywood to focus on family life. Unlike many of her Bond contemporaries, she left the industry on her own terms.
Now in her late 80s, Eaton enjoys a quiet life away from the spotlight, and occasionally reflects on her Bond legacy in interviews, rightly proud of her place in cinematic history.
The Daring Bond Girl: Jill St. John
Jill St. John made history as the first American Bond girl, playing the feisty and glamorous Tiffany Case as Sean Connery returned for Diamonds Are Forever in 1971. Unlike the demure or mysterious women who preceded her, St. John’s Tiffany was bold, playful, and independent—a character who could match Sean Connery’s wit while still getting entangled in the usual Bond chaos.
Though her performance received mixed reviews, her fiery red hair and cheeky charm left a lasting impression, making her one of the more distinctive leading ladies of the franchise.
Before Bond, St. John had already established herself as a Hollywood star, appearing in films alongside legends like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. However, her life off-screen often drew just as much attention as her acting. She was linked to numerous high-profile men, including a rumoured romance with Henry Kissinger.
One of the most enduring stories surrounding her life involves a long-standing feud with Lana Wood (who played Plenty O’Toole in Diamonds Are Forever). The tension escalated after the suspicious death of Lana’s sister, Natalie Wood, in 1981. Some believe St. John’s eventual marriage to Robert Wagner—Natalie’s widower—only deepened the divide.
Now in her 80s, she has largely retreated from public life, last spotted in a wheelchair at LAX. Despite this, she remains by Wagner’s side, living in quiet Hollywood royalty.
The Enchanting Bond Girl: Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour brought an air of mystique and innocence to the role of Solitaire in Live and Let Die (1973), playing a psychic whose powers depended on her virginity. As the film’s Bond girl, she was alluring and vulnerable, and her fate was sealed the moment Roger Moore’s 007 cleverly seduced her with a stacked deck of “Lovers” tarot cards.
Though easily tricked into bed, Seymour’s performance had plenty of qualities, making Solitaire more than just another conquest—she was a woman caught between destiny and desire.
Unlike many Bond actresses who struggled to break free from the franchise’s shadow, Seymour’s career flourished afterwards. She became a household name, starring in Somewhere in Time (1980) opposite Christopher Reeve and winning an Emmy for East of Eden (1981).
The 1990s saw her achieve even greater fame as the beloved Dr. Quinn in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, proving her talent and versatility. Over the decades, she’s remained a fixture in Hollywood, although now in her 70s, Seymour emanates beauty, but isn’t as active, although she still does some film and television.
The Glamorous Bond Girl: Britt Ekland
Britt Ekland brought charm, beauty, and a touch of comic naivety to the role of Mary Goodnight in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974). Unlike the more serious Bond girls before her, Goodnight was portrayed as a well-meaning but somewhat hapless MI6 agent, often finding herself in awkward situations.
While some criticized the character for being more of a damsel than a femme fatale, Ekland’s natural charisma and of course stunning looks made her a memorable presence in Roger Moore’s second Bond outing.
Before Bond, the Swedish actress had already gained fame through films like The Night They Raided Minsky’s (1968) and Get Carter (1971), as well as her high-profile marriage to Peter Sellers.
After The Man with the Golden Gun, she continued acting in European cinema and horror films, including the cult classic The Wicker Man (1973). Over time, however, her career took a backseat to her life in the public eye, where she remained a regular in celebrity circles.
Now in her 80s, Ekland has openly reflected on the pressures of maintaining her beauty. She has admitted that getting lip fillers was “the biggest mistake of my life,” a cautionary tale of Hollywood’s relentless beauty standards.
The Sophisticated Bond Girl: Barbara Bach
Few Bond girls have exuded the effortless sophistication of Barbara Bach, whose portrayal of Major Anya Amasova in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) marked a shift in the franchise’s female leads. A Soviet agent with a sharp mind and an unshakable resolve, Amasova was Bond’s equal—at least until Bond charmed her into bed.
Prior to her Bond breakthrough, Bach had carved out a modest career in Italian cinema, starring in adventure and thriller films throughout the late 1960s and early ’70s. But it was her turn as Anya Amasova that made her an international name.
Yet, instead of capitalizing on Bond stardom, Bach stepped away from acting in the 1980s, embracing life in rock-and-roll royalty when she married Beatle, Ringo Starr in 1981. Their enduring relationship became one of music and film’s great love stories.
However, life behind the glamour was not without its struggles. Bach battled problems with drink and drugs, a period she later overcame with the support of her husband. Now in her 70s, she enjoys a quiet existence, rarely stepping back into the limelight, content in her place as one of the best Bond girls and a Beatles muse.
