Barbara Bach, the iconic Bond girl who captivated audiences as Triple X in The Spy Who Loved Me, didn’t need saving by James Bond. In fact, she was the one on a quest to find her own hero.
That hero turned out to be none other than Ringo Starr, the legendary drummer of The Beatles. In 1977, at the peak of her career, Bach was not just a star on the screen but a rising model and actress. However, it was her real-life love story with Sir Richard Starkey—better known as Ringo Starr—that would steal the spotlight. Now 75, Bach’s decision to step away from Hollywood for her rocker husband marked a new chapter in her life, as she found her true knight in shining armor.
Barbara Bach once described James Bond as “a chauvinist pig who uses girls to shield him against bullets,” a sentiment echoed by Roger Moore, who admitted in a 1973 interview with People—the year he first portrayed the iconic spy in Live and Let Die—that “Bond, like myself, is a male chauvinist pig.” Moore quipped, “I’ve spent my entire life advocating for women to stop wearing pants and brassieres.”
Before her memorable turn as Bond girl Triple X in The Spy Who Loved Me, Bach had already made a name for herself in Italian cinema. She starred in Black Belly of the Tarantula (1971), a murder mystery that also featured other Bond Girls, Barbara Bouchet (from Casino Royale 1967) and Claudine Auger (from Thunderball 1965). This early success helped cement her status as an international star, and her portrayal of the fierce KGB agent Major Anya Amasova in the Bond film turned her into an enduring favorite among fans.
After her Bond success, Bach took on diverse roles, including in Mad Magazine Presents Up the Academy (1980), directed by Robert Downey Sr., and Caveman (1981), a slapstick comedy where she starred alongside Dennis Quaid, Shelley Long, and her husband, Ringo Starr. In Caveman, Bach’s character, Lana, becomes the object of Starr’s Neanderthal character’s affections, though in the end, he ultimately ditches her for another partner—adding a humorous twist to their onscreen dynamic.
The events that unfolded in real life were far from the script in Caveman.
Barbara Bach and Ringo Starr first met at Los Angeles International Airport while they were both en route to Mexico for the film’s shoot. Despite rumors circulating about their relationship, Bach, who had posed for a Playboy pictorial in 1981, told People, “A lot of garbage has been written about us, none of it interesting. We weren’t together until the very end of Caveman, to be honest. We got along well at work, but each of us had our own friends and lives. Then, during the final week of shooting, it just happened—without warning. We transitioned from friendly affection to romantic love.”
In a heartfelt 2021 interview with the Irish Examiner, Ringo Starr reminisced about that fateful moment. “I adore the gal. When I saw her for the first time at LAX in 1980, I fell in love. I was at the airport checking in, and she was there with a boyfriend. It just so happened we were both heading to Mexico for the same film. And that’s how it came to be,” he shared. “All I can say is that I’m incredibly grateful she’s in my life.”
As the legendary drummer of The Beatles, Starr had already achieved unparalleled fame with the band, cementing his place in music history as part of the most influential group of all time. What’s more, Bach had attended a Beatles concert at Shea Stadium in 1965, where Ringo performed alongside the late John Lennon, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney—long before their paths would cross in a much more personal way.
Despite being present at a legendary Beatles concert, Barbara Bach admits she wasn’t a huge fan of the band. She was there with her sister, Marjorie, who was a die-hard Beatles enthusiast, even arriving with a Beatles wig, and their friend Joe Walsh.
In a 1981 interview, Bach explained, “My sister Marjorie was a Beatles fan. I enjoyed the Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, and [Bob] Dylan.” Marjorie would later marry Walsh, who went on to become the guitarist for the Eagles. Walsh also performed with his brother-in-law in the rock supergroup Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.
Bach and Starr’s love story culminated in their marriage on April 27, 1981. The wedding was a star-studded affair, with Paul McCartney and George Harrison among the guests—just months after John Lennon’s tragic murder.
Since their wedding, the couple has been inseparable. Their bond was tested when a terrifying accident occurred just before their wedding. While driving, their car swerved to avoid a truck, rolling over twice before coming to a stop in a near-fatal crash. Reflecting on the ordeal, Starr remarked, “We decided we wouldn’t spend any time apart. The longest we’ve been apart was five days, and that felt like too much. I wish I could spend every moment with Barbara.”
To mark their 40th anniversary in 2021, Ringo Starr shared a sweet wedding photo featuring himself, Barbara Bach, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison, along with the caption, “It was 40 years ago today the love of my life said yes yes yes.” The post perfectly encapsulated the enduring love between the couple.
Beyond their personal bond, the couple’s devotion extends to their philanthropic efforts. Together, they run the Lotus Foundation, a nonprofit that funds a range of causes, including cancer research, homelessness, substance misuse, and animal welfare. Ringo Starr, an artist in his own right, donates 100% of the profits from his work to the foundation.
Bach, who has two children from her previous marriage to Augusto Gregorini, and Starr, who has three children from his late wife Maureen Cox, have built a blended family founded on love and shared values. When it comes to their relationship, Bach puts it simply: “I just love the man.” It’s clear their love is strong enough to last “Eight Days a Week” if they could.
“There is no escape,” Ringo Starr muses, reflecting on his enduring love for Barbara Bach. “I am incredibly fortunate that Barbara still loves me, and that we are still together. My love for her is just as strong now as it was when we first met.”
Their love story is truly inspiring. The bond between Barbara Bach, the iconic former Bond girl, and Ringo Starr, her legendary rock star husband, serves as a beautiful reminder of what true love can be.
We eagerly anticipate the next chapter of their lives, both in their personal journey together and through the meaningful impact they continue to make with their charitable work. Their dedication to one another and to making the world a better place is nothing short of motivational!
