Behind Pierce Brosnan’s Protective & Adoring Side As Husband To Wife Keely Shaye Smith Over 22 Years

Sep 12, 2023

Relationships in Hollywood are full of excitement and complications, whether it be a fleeting romance between two teen idols or a longtime 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 a multitude of 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 a variety of 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." 

After appearing in the James Bond movies, Pierce starred in thrillers such as "The Thomas Crown Affair" and "The Tailor of Panama." But it was in the romance-musical "Mamma Mia!" that audiences were first introduced to a more playful side of the actor. He returned for the sequel "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" in 2018.

While it may be easy to believe, with his smoldering good looks and deep voice, that all has always gone well in the romance department for Pierce, it couldn't be further from the truth.

Even though Pierce has had a successful Hollywood career, his life has been dotted with immense personal tragedy. His first 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. This left Pierce a widower and single father of their two sons; Chris Brosnan, born in 1972 and Sean Brosnan, who was born in 1983.

In a 1997 interview, Pierce reflected on Charlotte’s passing and said:

"Cassie was very positive about 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 Keely Shaye 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, as he said:

"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. Smith also became a stepmother to Pierce's sons, Chris and Sean.

After Smith gave birth to their two children, she put on some extra weight, resulting in harsh criticism pouring in about her appearance. Maybe people were shocked to see the star had stayed with someone whose appearance had changed so much, but Pierce and Smith’s love has proven time and again that it goes beyond the surface level.

No matter what anyone says about his wife or what conventional beauty standards entail, Pierce has repeatedly shown that his wife’s beautiful personality is what matters most to him. Love is definitely not only skin deep in this relationship, as Pierce has gone above and beyond to defend his wife and their relationship to the world, no matter what either of them looks like. 

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 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.”

Time and time again, Pierce has used the most adoring language to describe his beloved, including calling her his “beautiful luscious love Keely” and his “darling heart,” as well as “my love always” and “light of my life.”

The hearts of fans everywhere have melted at Pierce’s adorable gestures and sweet words.

"I love how you love her," read one comment on one of his anniversary posts, as another user wrote, "A man with those qualities please."

Another exclaimed, “This is what LOVE is and pierce is a REAL man.”

Over the course of their marriage, Pierce has stepped up to defend his wife. According to Fabiosa, Smith gained weight after giving birth to their two children and has kept it on. While some people have shamed her for this, Pierce stuck by her side, showing her the utmost love and respect. According to Hello! Magazine, Pierce was reported to have defended Smith after trolls attacked her over her weight and protectively responded:

“I strongly love every curve of her body. She is the most beautiful woman in my eyes. And also because she had our five children. In the past, I truly loved her for her person, not only for her beauty, and now I’m loving her even more that she is my children’s mother. And I am very proud of her, and I always seek to be worthy of her love.”

It has always been Smith’s personality and heart of gold that has been the reason why Pierce has been so in love with his wife. He even paid tribute to their love during the filming of his superhero film “Black Adam” by wearing his real wedding ring and a watch she had gifted him.

“This is a watch that Keely bought me many years ago with an inscription that (reads), ‘Time flies on love's wings. I decided to wear it for this character. It seemed appropriate,” he said, after which Smith quipped, “I love those emblems, that he took those with him into the superpower, superhero realm.” 

No matter what life has thrown at Pierce and Smith, they have continued to stay by each other’s side, looking just as in love as ever while supporting one another. It seems like love is always in the air when it comes to this Hollywood couple.

Aren't Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith just absolute couple goals? Do you think all husbands could learn a thing or two from the Irish actor? Let us know and share this with all your romance-loving friends and family.