Relationships in Hollywood are full of excitement and complications, whether a fleeting romance between two teen idols or a long relationship gone wrong. For Pierce Brosnan and his wife, their relationship has surpassed the test of time, and on Aug. 4, 2023, they celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary. Every time they are spotted together, it’s evident that they are wonderfully in love, and Pierce has made public declarations of love for his wife many times.
Pierce is an Irish actor most known for his role as secret agent James Bond in four of the spy films, including “GoldenEye,” “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “The World Is Not Enough,” and “Die Another Day.” He has also portrayed the character in various video games in the same universe.
After leaving school at the age of 16, Pierce went on to study at the Drama Centre in London, England, for three years. After finding work as a stage actor, he made his way to television and film, with one of his first breakthrough roles being in the TV series “Remington Steele,” which ran from 1982 until 1987. Afterward, he found more success in films such as “The Fourth Protocol” and “Mrs. Doubtfire.”
Even though Pierce had a successful Hollywood career, his life was dotted with immense personal tragedy. He lost his first wife and stepdaughter from ovarian cancer in the span of not more than 23 years.
Since then, Pierce has met the love of his life, Keely Shaye Smith, and they have been together for 23 years and have two children. In recent years, people have ridiculed Smith for her heavy weight. In March 2024, Smith silenced her detractors with her “youthful” transformation.
Keely Shaye Smith, Pierce Brosnan (1997), (IMAGO/Avalon.red)
Pierce’s wife, Cassandra Harris, to whom he was married for 11 years, passed away from ovarian cancer in 1991, and 22 years later, his adopted stepdaughter Charlotte Brosnan succumbed to the same fate.
In a 1997 interview, he reflected on her death and said:
“When your partner gets cancer, then life changes. … Cassie was very positive about life. I mean, she had the most amazing energy and outlook on life. It was and is a terrible loss, and I see it reflected, from time to time, in my children. … How do you carry on afterwards? Slowly. Very, very, very slowly. It hurts. And you have to sit and endure it. There’s nothing else to do; it won’t go away.”
But endure he did, and three years later, in April 1994, his life would change completely. At a party in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, he would meet the woman he would eventually marry, American journalist Smith.
Smith described the actor to PEOPLE in 2001 as “captivating,” adding he was “tall, dark and handsome – everything that everybody would immediately be attracted to. He had this mischievous sparkle in his eyes. I thought, ‘Wow! Wow!’”
Pierce felt the same way, saying:
“I found a great woman in Keely Shaye. … Not if I searched a million times over would I find one as good.”
The pair married in Ireland on Aug. 4, 2001, and together have two sons: Dylan Brosnan and Paris Brosnan.
Since the nuptials, the couple has been photographed looking more and more in love every time, and through thick and thin and amid uncalled-for criticism, they have made it this far.
Pierce Brosnan, Keely Shaye Smith (1998), (IMAGO/Depositphotos)
Pierce has been exceptionally vocal about his adoration for his wife. He once told Closer Weekly:
“When Keely looks at me, I go weak. … I love her vitality, her passion. She has this strength that I wouldn’t be able to live without.”
He also gushed about Smith to People Magazine in 2017 after taking a road trip with her and cited her company as the best part of their getaway.
“We didn’t listen to any music, but we just listened to the sounds of each other’s voices and sorted out the world,” he said, while also revealing that one of the secrets to their long-lasting love was spending quality time together.
He also described Smith to Gentlemen’s Journal as “the most amazing mother and woman,” and added, “I’ve watched her grow up over 27 years, watched our life together just blossom and grow. And there are still many more dreams to be had.”
Pierce and Smith’s journey as man and wife marked its 22nd year in 2023, and the latter took to social media to celebrate the occasion with a carousel of beautiful throwback photos from their wedding.
The snaps showed the handsome groom smiling from ear to ear in every photo with his new wife, while the bride looked resplendent in her white gown and lace cover-up. One photo even showed Smith as she walked down the aisle, ready to start a new chapter in her life that would bloom to this day.
“Happy Anniversary @piercebrosnanofficial ♥️ Thank you for always being up for this adventure called life. 4-8-94 / 8-4-2001,” she wrote in the caption, referring to two very important dates: the day they met in Mexico and the day they traded “I do’s.”
Keely Shaye Smith (2002), (IMAGO/Rideaux-PicturePerfect)
Pierce and Smith’s love has repeatedly proven that it goes beyond the surface level. No matter what life has thrown at them, they have continued to stay by each other’s side, and they look just as in love as ever while supporting one another.
In honor of their wedding anniversary, Pierce, on Aug. 5, 2022, posted a throwback picture of the happy couple on their special day, captioning the post: “Happy Anniversary my love Keely, we danced that night and still dance the dance today. I could do it all again.”
The hearts of fans everywhere melted at the adorable gesture.
“Congratulations, you two! Way to set an example!” wrote comedian Chelsea Handler.
“I love how you love her,” read one comment as another user wrote, “A man with those qualities please.”
“A true example of a great man and a big love,” another fan wrote.
In 2023, Pierce talked about his fondest memories with his wife to People Magazine. Recalling the last time they had a date night, Pierce fondly recalled the scrumptious meal that his wife had cooked.
“Keely is such a wonderful cook. I always have the best table in the house when I’m sitting at her table. But date nights are Giorgio Baldi (a restaurant in Santa Monica). That’s where we had our first date,” he remembered.
He also remembered his last Do-It-Yourself project, prompting him to laugh loudly during the interview.
“I think the laugh says enough. I do have a tool kit. But if Keely sees me with a hammer, she’s very worried. She’s just, ‘No, no, put that down. Go away,’” he recalled.
Pierce Brosnan (2014), (IMAGO/Chernykh)
Brosnan has repeatedly shown that his wife’s beautiful personality is what matters most to him. Love is not only skin deep in this relationship, as Brosnan has gone above and beyond to defend his wife and their relationship to the world, no matter what they look like.
According to The Sun, Brosnan even said proudly, “When Keely looks at me I go weak at the knees.”
Not only was Smith his weakness, but she was also his strength. According to the actor, Smith has always been kind and compassionate to him, even through the toughest hardships. Smith even encouraged her husband Brosnan to mourn Cassie, the actor’s late daughter.
“I think of her all the time. I suppose Keely is my North Star, always looking out for me.”
It has always been Smith’s personality and heart of gold that have been the reasons why Brosnan has been so in love with his wife. This became even more apparent when trolls publicly made fun of Smith’s weight online.
In 2021, TV personality Jenelle Evans from the show “Teen Mom” shared photos of the couple on her Facebook and made derogatory comments about how Smith looked.
Brosnan doesn’t seem bothered by cruel taunts from strangers online, and he certainly has no issue with his wife’s body. The couple has never shied away from the cameras and attended every red-carpet premiere, press event, public appearance, and gatherings they were invited to, with the 2023 Met Gala becoming their biggest outing yet in Hollywood in recent years.
Pierce Brosnan, Keely Shaye Smith (2005), (IMAGO/Avalon.red)
Speaking to Fox News in 2023, Pierce confessed that their love with one another is the secret to their lasting relationship.
“We like each other a lot. We love each other a lot,” Brosnan revealed. “And we’ve been down the road, and we’ve seen many, many hardships as families do, as we all do.”
Additionally, he said: “But watching someone grow up with you and grow old with you is a very spiritual journey. To watch each other change … whatever it may be, the hair, the waist. But it’s the love in the heart.”
Smith’s detractors were silenced at the 2024 Oscar Wilde Awards after she flaunted her incredibly slim figure, looking like she had shed pounds since her previous public appearance.
Fans couldn’t help but admire Smith and her beauty after the transformation.
“Keely looks fantastic. Congratulations on the weight loss,” a user wrote, while another wondered in amazement about, “How much weight Keely lost!”
“Lost so much weight,” another agreed, while a fourth person chimed in, “Keely looks fantastic. Congratulations on the weight loss.”
Meanwhile, some couldn’t help but gloat about Smith’s detractors in the past: “Didn’t they make fun of her for being overweight?”
Upon being honored at the 2024 Oscar Wilde Awards, Pierce talked to Goss.ie, and gushed about his wife and special moments in their life.
“There’s many, being with Keely has been the highlight of my life in moments like this.” he shared. “New York, Radio City, doing Golden Eye, James Bond, you know we have grown up together into this fantasy world and beautiful world of James Bond. Our love and life is very much connected to that role,” the romantic gushed.
Keely Shaye Smith, Pierce Brosnan (2014), (IMAGO/Dreamstime)
Pierce is a masterful actor and a wonderful painter, and his wife has supported him along the way in his artistic pursuits. In 2023, Pierce had produced more than 300 pieces of art and he hosted his first solo exhibition, “So Many Dreams.”
Speaking to Vanity Fair about the experience, Pierce credited his wife for being with him every step of the way in his artistic endeavors.
“I have been painting since ’87 and it’s very therapeutic,” Brosnan told the publication. “Painting has helped me find my way in life. Whenever I feel angst, I’ll go to the canvas. It brings me comfort and it’s just so joyful.”
At the same time, Smith talked fondly and deeply about her husband’s talent to the publication. She said:
“Pierce’s work is deeply personal so that’s why I thought we should show it. Many of these paintings have been in storage…and it occurred to me that we should share them and host an exhibition where people could see a different facet of Pierce. I think for many of his fans, they will appreciate the opportunity to see this other creative side of him. Everywhere he goes and every movie set he’s on, he always sets up a studio and paints. What you see at the exhibition is the result.”
According to the publication, whenever the actor was in between phone calls, he would fill his notebooks with drawings and sketches, which served as the starting point for some of his paintings.
“I want to create things that make me happy,” Pierce said about his inspiration for his art. “To make something that is magical and has its own story that has balance, and color and beauty. That’s it.”
Keely Shaye Smith, Pierce Brosnan (2018), (IMAGO/PA Images)
In the second year of Pierce’s exhibit in May 2024, the couple yet again surprised many of their fans with the wonderful creations of the Golden Globe-nominated actor.
On Instagram, Pierce shared a carousel of photos of him and his wife, Smith.
“Thank you one and all for attending my exhibition “So Many Dreams” in Palm Desert this past weekend. My wife Keely and I had the most glorious time in your company. Thank you David, Christian, and all at Austin Art Projects for hosting us. The exhibition is up for another couple of weeks if you are interested in seeing my paintings, drawings, and prints in person. #piercebrosnanart … photos by Lani Garfield,” Pierce captioned his post.
While many greeted Pierce on the success of his exhibition, many noticed Smith’s transformation after years of receiving flak from people on social media about her weight. Smith looked noticeably thinner and more glowing as she posed confidently beside her dashing husband.
“Congratulations! PS Mrs Brosnan looks absolutely stunning!” one fan noted.
“Beautiful wife!! Beautiful couple! Congratulations on your exhibition!!
,” another congratulated.
“You look glowing Keely. Isn’t it wonderful when you recognise your youthful face? Well done,” a user commented.
“She looks terrific. Wish I knew her method for weight loss,” another wrote, echoing another fan, “Keely, you are stunningly beautiful! My goodness she’s gorgeous.”
“Sir you, your wife and the paintings look great. Good luck for many more Dreams to come true
♥️,” an international fan said.
