Few film franchises have etched themselves into the history books like that of agent 007. We all have our own favorite concerning actors who have taken on the role of the adventurous, thrilling, and ever-romantic James Bond.
Over the years, the British charmer has crossed paths with a fair few women on-screen. One woman who found herself at Bond’s side over the years is Swedish star Maud Adams, who turns 79 today.
There is no shortage of iconic Bond women, but I think we can all agree that Octopussy gave us one of the most memorable. Portrayed by Swedish beauty Maud Adams, the character’s place in the history books was cemented when she became one of the few to have actually appeared in more than one Bond film.
Maud graced the screens in both The Man with the Golden Gun and Octopussy, where, in the latter film, she starred alongside another Swedish sensation – the gorgeous Britt Ekland. However, after these cinematic successes, we’ve seen less and less of Maud in the limelight.
So, how is the Swedish Bond beauty faring after all these years?
I recommend you take a deep breath before you see this legendary actress today…
Whether we’re fans of the British spy series featuring James Bond or not, we all have a connection to the iconic franchise. Many associate the role with Sean Connery, who became the first actor to portray the character back in the 1960s.
Since then, a host of well-known hunks have taken on the mantle of 007.
Pierce Brosnan, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and Daniel Craig have all held the role of James Bond at one time or another. Who exactly is the quintessential Bond varies, of course, from generation to generation.
Depending on which actor portrayed the role during one’s formative years, that particular star is often the preferred choice over the others. For me, it was Roger Moore who left an indelible mark.
In seven films between 1973 and 1985, the British star captivated audiences worldwide. Many men aspired to be as debonair, while countless women longed for even a few minutes in his company.
One person who actually got to spend quite a bit of time with the James Bond star was Swedish actress Maud Adams, now 79.
”He was always very supportive, a real team player and kept everybody in good spirits during the filming, ” Maud said of Roger Moore.
The stunning beauty was discovered in 1963 while shopping in her hometown in the northern part of Sweden. A photographer approached her and asked to take her picture. He then submitted it to the Miss Sweden contest, launching her modeling career from there.
Maud soon relocated to Paris, and in 1967, she arrived in New York City and started working with Eileen Ford – one of the most famous agency executives. Maud was just 22 when she left her life and family behind in Sweden.
While Maud was doing everything to break through as a model, she also pursued her other great passion: acting. Her Hollywood journey began when she was invited to appear in the 1970 film The Boys in the Band, portraying a photo-shoot model in the opening credits. She also made guest appearances in popular American TV series like Hawaii Five-O and Kojak.
Hollywood breakthrough
But it was in The Man with the Golden Gun, aired in 1974, that Maud would mark her big breakthrough. She was catapulted to international fame as the doomed mistress of the villain Christopher Lee. Working alongside Lee, recognized for his streak of award-winning and critically acclaimed roles, was an unforgettable experience for the young and aspiring actress.
”He was a real gentleman during the filming and extremely professional coupled with a very dry sense of humour. I really didn’t know that much about him other than his Dracula interpretation at first but, I’m so grateful to have met and had the pleasure to have worked with this talented and wonderful man,” Maud explained in a Q&A for the official James Bond website in conjunction to the film’s 40th anniversary in December 2014.
After The Man with the Golden Gun, Maud’s name was on everyone’s lips, and her career seemed to be skyrocketing. She returned in Octopussy in 1983, this time in a leading role as the title character — an exotic and mysterious smuggler, once again alongside Roger Moore.
”I never hesitated. It was such a treat to be able to once again work with Roger Moore, the producer Cubby Broccoli and the crew I had come to like so much. Being offered the title role of Octopussy also was a real honour,” she said.
What many may not know is that Maud actually appeared in a third Bond film, A View to a Kill – though her part in the 1985 movie was quite a minor one.
”We were shooting at Fisherman’s Wharf. Maud — who is a very good friend of ours — decided to come and visit us on the set with her boyfriend. I said to Maud “Come on, why don’t you become a crowd extra?” So she and her boyfriend walked through in the background, and by doing that she became the only woman to appear in three James Bond movies,” director John Glen explained.
After her appearances in the James Bond films, her acting career didn’t quite turn out as expected. Amidst all this, she also got married at a very young age.
The year before she landed in America, she tied the knot with photographer Roy Adams.
The couple were together for eight years before getting divorced in 1975 – a year after Maud’s first Bond film. After the first film she made with Roger, Maud was single again.
She continued to appear in a variety of foreign film projects and quite a few Swedish ones as well. But her roles in the Bond films became the ones Maud was primarily associated with, despite appearing in over 40 films.
Among them, the Bond star has featured in numerous soap operas in her native Sweden. The latest film the Swedish star made was The Rooneys in 2010.
In addition to continuing her acting career, Maud has also been the CEO of the cosmetics company Scandinavian Biocosmetics, and also runs the clothing brand Maud Adams Wardrobe. Fluent in five languages, she once aspired to work as an interpreter.
Maud Adams husband and kids
For nearly 60 years now, Maud Adams has been living in sunny Beverly Hills.
”I have several superstars as neighbors; Britney Spears lives nearby. But in Hollywood, you don’t socialize with neighbors in that way. Sometimes I bump into them at a premiere or at the grocery store,” Maud told Aftonbladet in 2009.
Even though she enjoys her life in the States, the actress has maintained her connection with Sweden. She even has an apartment in her native hometown of Luleå.
˝It just feels stronger and stronger as time goes on. If it hadn’t been for Skip, I probably would have moved back long ago. I was on my way to doing that when I met him,” she told Aftonbladet.
”Skip” is the nickname for Maud’s husband Charles Rubin, whom she has been married to for over 24 years now. He is a private mediator and retired judge.
”We both have strong wills, so it can get heated sometimes. But we get along very well,” she said in the same interview.
The couple have no children together and live life to the fullest with their two fur babies: dogs Teddy and Boomer.
”When you don’t have any of your own, they become a bit like your children,” she said then.
Maud’s portrayal of strong and captivating characters has left a lasting impact on audiences worldwide, earning her a place among the iconic figures of cinema. And even though she may not grace the silver screen as frequently these days, we will never forget her.
As she now celebrates her 79th birthday, it’s quite natural to reflect on her life and career—and it seems that Maud has no regrets whatsoever.
”Looking back on it, how can you not really enjoy the fact that you were a Bond Girl? It’s pop culture and to be part of that is very nice,” she says.
As beautiful now as ever! We wish you all the best, Maud!
