James Bond may have a license to kill, but 007's women have the power to hijack his heart.
James Bond may have a license to kill, but 007's women are the real scene-stealers.
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969
Bond rescues this depressed damsel in distress on a beach in Portugal as she prepares to commit suicide to escape her life as a mobster’s daughter. But the Countess, a.k.a. Tracy, isn’t your ordinary Bond babe; she and 007 forge a relationship beyond the usual one-night stand. After the spy escapes assassins in Switzerland, she ultimately wins Bond’s heart, and the lovebirds marry. But sadly, the new Mrs. Bond is gunned down by Irma Bunt, Blofeld’s henchwoman, just minutes after the ceremony. Happily, her real life was far from tragic. Diana — an alumna of the U.K.’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art — landed her iconic role of Emma Peel in the cult TV show The Avengers before being a Bond Girl. She will also appear on the next season of HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones, as Lady Olenna Tyrell, a sharp-tongued political matriarch known as the Queen of Thorns.
Bond rescues this depressed damsel in distress on a beach in Portugal as she prepares to commit suicide to escape her life as a mobster’s daughter. But the Countess, a.k.a. Tracy, isn’t your ordinary Bond babe; she and 007 forge a relationship beyond the usual one-night stand. After the spy escapes assassins in Switzerland, she ultimately wins Bond’s heart, and the lovebirds marry. But sadly, the new Mrs. Bond is gunned down by Irma Bunt, Blofeld’s henchwoman, just minutes after the ceremony. Happily, her real life was far from tragic. Diana — an alumna of the U.K.’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art — landed her iconic role of Emma Peel in the cult TV show The Avengers before being a Bond Girl. She will also appear on the next season of HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones, as Lady Olenna Tyrell, a sharp-tongued political matriarch known as the Queen of Thorns.
Diamonds are Forever, 1969
The plot of this 007 film may be hazy, and Bond himself is surprisingly reserved (not one martini!), but Jill’s presence makes up for it. The bombshell, who began acting at the age of 6, spends the majority of the film prancing around in a variety of bikinis as diamond smuggler Tiffany. Named after the jewelry store she was born in, Tiffany makes the list as the first American Bond Girl. After Diamonds, Jill continued her acting career — she had a cameo on Seinfeld’s classic “The Yada Yada” episode — and pursued her second love: cooking, writing a food column for USA Weekend and publishing a cookbook. She’s one tasty dish!
The plot of this 007 film may be hazy, and Bond himself is surprisingly reserved (not one martini!), but Jill’s presence makes up for it. The bombshell, who began acting at the age of 6, spends the majority of the film prancing around in a variety of bikinis as diamond smuggler Tiffany. Named after the jewelry store she was born in, Tiffany makes the list as the first American Bond Girl. After Diamonds, Jill continued her acting career — she had a cameo on Seinfeld’s classic “The Yada Yada” episode — and pursued her second love: cooking, writing a food column for USA Weekend and publishing a cookbook. She’s one tasty dish!
Golden Eye, 1995
Her attempt to crush Bond between her legs isn’t the only reason why Xenia lands on this list, although her antics certainly are a first. While some Bond Girls are scary — Grace Jones’ May Day, anyone? — Famke’s feisty henchwoman is both terrifying and titillating. Bond first encounters the Soviet villainess during a high-speed race in the hills above Monte Carlo, with Bond’s Aston Martin nose to nose with her Ferrari. Since she obviously had an issue with aggression, 007 smoothed Xenia’s rougher edges with his brand of Bonding, which included some fighting/foreplay in a sauna. While Xenia met a grisly end, Famke went on to star in the X-Men movies alongside fellow Bond Girl Halle Berry.
Her attempt to crush Bond between her legs isn’t the only reason why Xenia lands on this list, although her antics certainly are a first. While some Bond Girls are scary — Grace Jones’ May Day, anyone? — Famke’s feisty henchwoman is both terrifying and titillating. Bond first encounters the Soviet villainess during a high-speed race in the hills above Monte Carlo, with Bond’s Aston Martin nose to nose with her Ferrari. Since she obviously had an issue with aggression, 007 smoothed Xenia’s rougher edges with his brand of Bonding, which included some fighting/foreplay in a sauna. While Xenia met a grisly end, Famke went on to star in the X-Men movies alongside fellow Bond Girl Halle Berry.
Never Say Never Again, 1983
The film’s title references Sean Connery’s declaration to the press in 1971 that he would “never again” play James Bond. Could it have been the flawless looks of blonde Kim, in her breakout role, that lured Connery back? Kim was recommended for the part by Talia Shire (Adrian to Sly’s Rocky), after she spotted Kim’s “luminescent” beauty on a TV show. As a Bond Girl, Kim became an American sex symbol and went on to a decade-long reign. Yet Kim’s Domino has more than the requisite looks 007’s sexual sidekick demands; she saves James — and the world — from the wicked Largo just as the villain is about to detonate a nuke. Not that the film doesn’t end with a bang…
The film’s title references Sean Connery’s declaration to the press in 1971 that he would “never again” play James Bond. Could it have been the flawless looks of blonde Kim, in her breakout role, that lured Connery back? Kim was recommended for the part by Talia Shire (Adrian to Sly’s Rocky), after she spotted Kim’s “luminescent” beauty on a TV show. As a Bond Girl, Kim became an American sex symbol and went on to a decade-long reign. Yet Kim’s Domino has more than the requisite looks 007’s sexual sidekick demands; she saves James — and the world — from the wicked Largo just as the villain is about to detonate a nuke. Not that the film doesn’t end with a bang…
The Man with the Golden Gun, 1974; Octopussy, 1983
Maud holds the distinction of being the only woman cast as a Bond Girl twice, both times opposite Roger Moore’s 007. In The Man with the Golden Gun, Andrea is the bad guy’s main squeeze and as such, sends Bond an ominous gold bullet engraved with its target: 007. As the female lead in Octopussy, a classic name in Bond lore and the only film title to feature a woman’s name, Maud runs an all woman circus to cover up her jewelry smuggling ring. (Look at the clown, not the Fabergé egg!) Like many lawless Bond Girls, a little R&R with 007 resets Octopussy’s moral compass. Maud herself went on to appear in a third Bond film, as an extra in A View to a Kill.
Find out who else topped our list of top Bond babes—and get even more killer 007 content—by downloading 50 Years of Bond.
Maud holds the distinction of being the only woman cast as a Bond Girl twice, both times opposite Roger Moore’s 007. In The Man with the Golden Gun, Andrea is the bad guy’s main squeeze and as such, sends Bond an ominous gold bullet engraved with its target: 007. As the female lead in Octopussy, a classic name in Bond lore and the only film title to feature a woman’s name, Maud runs an all woman circus to cover up her jewelry smuggling ring. (Look at the clown, not the Fabergé egg!) Like many lawless Bond Girls, a little R&R with 007 resets Octopussy’s moral compass. Maud herself went on to appear in a third Bond film, as an extra in A View to a Kill.
Find out who else topped our list of top Bond babes—and get even more killer 007 content—by downloading 50 Years of Bond.
Page Title:
Sexiest Bond Girls of All Time - 50 Years of Bond Anniversary