Barbara Bach, the iconic Bond girl who captured hearts as Triple X, didn’t need saving by any spy. Instead, she was on a quest to find her knight in shining armor – her rocker husband, Sir Richard Starkey, better known as Ringo Starr.
Now at 75 years old, Bach, an accomplished actor and model, had reached the pinnacle of her career with her role in the 1977 film “The Spy Who Loved Me.” In the movie, she played the enticing love interest and potential adversary to the womanizing secret agent, James Bond, portrayed by Roger Moore.
In a 1983 interview with People magazine, Bach referred to Bond as “a chauvinist pig who uses girls to shield him against bullets.” Moore shared her sentiment and admitted in a 1973 interview with the same publication, “Bond, like myself, is a male chauvinist pig. All my life I’ve been trying to get women out of brassieres and pants.”
Before her breakthrough role in “The Spy Who Loved Me,” Bach had appeared in Italian films alongside other Bond girls such as Claudine Auger from “Thunderball” (1965) and Barbara Bouchet from “Casino Royale” (1967). One notable film was the 1971 Italian murder-mystery “Black Belly of the Tarantula.” However, it was her captivating performance as a Bond girl that made Bach a beloved figure and laid the foundation for her successful acting career.
After her portrayal of Major Anya Amasova, a fictional character linked to the KGB, Bach went on to have leading roles in “Mad Magazine Presents Up the Academy” (1980), directed by Robert Downey Sr., and “Caveman” (1981), a slapstick comedy where she co-starred alongside Dennis Quaid, Shelley Long, and Ringo Starr, who was 82 at the time. In “Caveman,” Starr played a Neanderthal who lusts after Bach’s character, Lana, but ultimately ends up choosing another mate. However, it’s important to note that the screenplay does not mirror what actually happened in real life.
The real-life love story between Barbara Bach and Ringo Starr unfolded when they first crossed paths at the Los Angeles airport. They were both en route to Mexico to film “Caveman.” In a 1981 Playboy pictorial, Bach clarified, “A lot of garbage has been written about us, none of it interesting.
The truth is, we weren’t together until the very end of Caveman. Working, we got along fine, but we each had other people, our respective friends. Then, all of a sudden, within a week – the last week of shooting – it just happened. We changed from friendly love to being in love.”
In a 2021 interview with the Irish Examiner, Ringo Starr, known for his role as the drummer in the iconic band The Beatles, spoke adoringly about his wife of over four decades. He shared, “I love the woman. I loved her from when I first saw her at LAX in 1980. She was at the airport with a boyfriend, and I was at the airport checking in, and we happened to be going to Mexico to do the same movie. And that’s how it happened. I’m blessed she’s in my life, that’s all I can ever say.”
Starr, a superstar in his own right, cherishes the memories of performing alongside the late John Lennon and George Harrison, as well as Paul McCartney, as part of The Beatles. Interestingly, Bach was in the audience for a Beatles show at New York’s Shea Stadium in 1965. Although she admits that she wasn’t the biggest Beatles fan, she attended the concert with her friend Joe Walsh and her sister Marjorie, who was so enthralled by the band that she even wore a Beatles wig.
“My sister Marjorie was crazy about the Beatles,” Bach revealed in a 1981 interview with People. “I liked [Bob] Dylan, Ray Charles, and the Rolling Stones.” Marjorie went on to marry Joe Walsh, who later became the Eagles guitarist in 1975. It’s worth mentioning that Walsh also played with his brother-in-law Ringo Starr in “Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band,” a rock supergroup famous for their live performances.
Only a few months after the tragic death of John Lennon, Barbara Bach and Ringo Starr tied the knot on April 27, 1981. The wedding ceremony was attended by Paul McCartney and George Harrison, solidifying their close bond. Since then, the couple has been inseparable.
Just prior to their wedding, Bach and Starr survived a near-fatal car crash when their vehicle swerved to avoid a truck. The car rolled over twice before finally coming to a stop. Following the accident, Starr declared, “We decided we wouldn’t spend any time apart. So far, the longest break was five days, and that was too long. I want to live every minute with Barbara.”
In 1988, Bach and Starr entered rehab together and have remained sober ever since. Their love story is not only a testament to their unwavering commitment but also showcases their shared dedication to overcome challenges as a team.
When the beloved couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in 2021, Starr shared a heartwarming photo from their wedding day. The image featured not only the newlyweds but also Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Alongside the cherished picture, Starr captioned, “It was 40 years ago today. The love of my life said yes, yes, yes.”
Beyond their profound love, the couple’s impact extends to their blended family. Ringo Starr has three children from his late wife, Maureen Cox, while Barbara Bach has two children from her previous marriage to Augusto Gregorini. Additionally, they tirelessly contribute to society through their charity called The Lotus Foundation, which supports various causes such as animal welfare, substance abuse, homelessness, and cancer research. Starr, who is also an accomplished artist, donates 100% of the proceeds from his artwork to this noble cause.
In summary, the remarkable and enduring love story between Barbara Bach and Ringo Starr continues to inspire us all. We eagerly await their future endeavors in both their charity work and their personal lives. Love truly knows no bounds, and this couple exemplifies the beauty and strength that love can bring.
