Roger Moore’s life off-screen was as colorful as his danger-filled adventures asJames Bond.
The legendary actordied at the age of 89after decades of memorable roles on-screen — but his private life was just as full. The actor had his share of torrid romances in his younger days before finding happiness with his fourth wife, Kiki Tholstrup, and settling into a life of charity and luxury in Switzerland.
Though the actor enjoyed decades of success thanks to his early television work and, eventually, his celebrated turn as 007, his later years were quieter as he dedicated himself to charity. Here’s a look back at the private world of a debonair star — one filled with both triumph and tragedy.
A Father’s Heartbreak
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Knudsen and Moore in 2010
“Our beautiful daughter Christina (a.k.a. Flossie) lost her battle with cancer 25 July at 10am. We are heartbroken,” Moore wrote, later adding, “We were all with her, surrounding her with love, at the end."'
Knudsen credited Moore with being a key and positive male influence in her life after her father and stepfather had died.
Ups and Downs in Love
The actor was married four times, the first three ending in turmoil before he finally married Tholstrup. “I’ve been married four times and caused a great deal of hurt and upset around me,” MooretoldThe Guardianin 2012. “I’m a selfish bastard, but I’m just very, very happy that Kristina and I found one another.”
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Moore and Tholstrup
His first marriage came when he was just 18 — to actress and ice skater Doorn van Steyn in 1946. The couple split in 1953 after Moore met his soon-to-be second wife, Dorothy Squires.
Squires was 13 years older than Moore, and they married in 1952, soon after the actor divorced his first wife. Theirs would be a tumultuous relationship. The marriage eventually crumbled following several miscarriages, and Moore left Squires in 1961 for Italian actress Luisa Mattioli, whom he met in 1962’sThe Rape of the Sabine Women.
Squires, however, would not accept the breakup, and she sued Moore multiple times for ending their relationship. She finally granted Moore a divorce in 1969, and he wed Mattioli soon after. (Squires would eventually be diagnosed with cancer, and Moore later paid for her treatment and hospital bills. She died in 1998.)
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Moore and a one-year-old Christian on the set ofThe Man with the Golden Gun
Moore and his third wife, Mattioli, had three children — Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian — and stayed together until 1993, the same year when Moore was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The diagnosis, he toldEvening Standardin 2012,prompted him to reevaluate his life— and realize he had fallen out of love with Mattioli.
Charity Work
“Most of my time these days is spent with UNICEF, raising awareness and raising funds,” Moore told Entertainment Weekly in 2012 when asked about upcoming projects.
UNICEF
Moore in Guatemala with UNICEF in 1991
In 2003, the actor was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award for his services to UNICEF.Queen Elizabeth IIlater named him a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1999 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 2003 for his acting and charity work.
UNICEF USA president and CEO Caryl M. Stern paid tribute to the late actor in a statement to PEOPLE.
Moore also worked closely with the Angiogenesis Foundation on global health and disease prevention programs. “Beyond his international fame in film, Sir Roger’s charitable work will be an enduring legacy,” Dr. William W. Li, President of the Angiogenesis Foundation, said in a statement to PEOPLE. “He impacted countless lives and was a man of incredible character, integrity, and dignity. We are honored to have had his guidance and support of our Foundation’s work.”
source: people.com
