At 90, Michale Caine Credits His Wife With Keeping Him Going Despite Health Woes And Helping Him Lose Weight

Aug 29, 2023 by apost team

Michael Caine has been entertaining audiences for over six decades. Born on March 14, 1933, in Rotherhithe, London, Michael was raised in poverty and began working at a young age to support his family. Despite facing many challenges, he persevered and eventually became one of the most beloved and respected actors of his generation.

Michael’s acting career began in the 1950s when he appeared in small roles on British television. He soon moved on to stage productions and landed his first film parts. However, it was his breakthrough role as Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead in the 1964 film “Zulu” that put him on the map. From there, he went on to star in a string of successful films, including “Alfie,” “The Italian Job,” “Sleuth” and “The Man Who Would Be King.” In recent years, he’s appeared in hits such as Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” trilogy and “Kingsman: The Secret Service.”

Michael’s performances are marked by his ability to portray a wide range of characters, from charming and debonair to gritty and intense. He has been nominated for six Academy Awards and won two for his roles in “Hannah and Her Sisters” and “The Cider House Rules.” He has also won numerous other awards throughout his career, including two Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2000, he was knighted for his services to drama.

Despite his success, Michael has remained humble and grounded throughout his life. He is known for his work ethic and dedication to his craft, and he has inspired many aspiring actors. 

However, Michael had quite a grueling journey as he suffered a lot of health woes as he approached a certain age. Keep on reading to learn more about Caine, his health problems, and his love for his wife. 

Michael found his true love the second time around after he divorced his first wife, actress Patricia Haines, in 1958. In January 1973, he wed the woman who would be his wife for five decades now, Guyanese model and actress Shakira Caine. Michael first saw Shakira in a commercial for a popular coffee brand in the ’70s and was smitten immediately. 

He recounted on “The Jonathan Ross Show” that he was prepared to go to great lengths to find her:

“I saw this lady on the television, in a commercial and fell in love instantly. I just watched her and I thought ‘That’s the woman for me’ and said to my mate ‘We’re going to Brazil in the morning, we’re gonna find her.’” 

Much to his surprise, Shakira wasn’t Brazilian and was, in fact, Indian and lived nearby on Fulham Road, London.

However, it took him time to convince Shakira to meet him. He called her every day for ten days until she finally agreed. 

“I got her number from the ad agency. She couldn’t get rid of me on the telephone, so she decided to come out with me and get rid of me,” he told People Magazine in 2018. 

That same year, he gushed about Shakira to Radio Times: 

“I fell in love with her in about eight minutes. It took her two hours to fall in love with me. She saved my life, really.”

Having celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in January 2023, Michael and Shakira are enjoying their golden years together, and they are even doting grandparents of three nowadays. The couple shares one daughter, Natasha, while Caine has another daughter from his previous marriage. 

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Prior to meeting Shakira, Michael had been living an unhealthy film star life and credited Shakira for his decision to get healthy, adding he lost 30lbs because of her support and encouragement.

“I’ll probably drop dead talking to you but you know I’ve lost 30lbs just because I want to see my grandchildren. They’re twins of six and a boy of seven. I’d like to get to 17 for the boy.,” he told The Sun. 

He also admitted at the time that he knew that his “days are numbered” and that has since been his “main worry.”

“I’ve had to cut back on the drinking and I’m always looking up what’s the best thing against cancer, so I’ll eat that or do this or not do that.

After his 2021 film “Best Sellers,” rumors he was retiring surfaced. “Funnily enough, it has turned out to be what is my last part, really,” Caine told People Magazine. 

“Because I haven’t worked for two years, and I have a spine problem, which affects my legs. So, I can’t walk very well.” He also told The Guardian, “I can’t walk and I can’t stand for very long and now I don’t know whether my bloody memory’s going,” and added, “My mind’s not as agile as it used to be.”

Michael, in the interview with The Sun, gushed about his wife, whom he has credited with saving him from his “destructive lifestyle.” 

“Without her, I’d have been dead long ago,” he added. “I used to drink a bottle of vodka a day and smoke several packs of cigarettes.”

Michael now uses a cane to help him get around, including on date nights. In December 2021, the pair were spotted on a night out at Langan’s Brasserie in Mayfair, while In November 2022, the loved-up pair were seen at a bar in London. While Michael was usually seen with a cane, in February 2023, the actor had upgraded to a wheeled walking frame while out celebrating his wife’s 76th birthday.

Despite his health woes, it’s clear the pair are as inseparable as they used to be. “We’re very happy in our own company,” Michael once said and added “Shakira is the only person I ever met who didn’t have a bad side. There’s no bad side. It’s all good.”  

On April 2023, Michael was spotted vacationing in the Caribbean, specifically in Barbados. In the photos obtained by The Daily Mail, Michael was seen being assisted by a female aide as he was walking with a walking frame. 

A month before, Michael turned 90 and admitted he’s not as sprightly as he used to be since developing spinal stenosis, which hampers his mobility. 

According to the National Institute of Health, Spinal stenosis happens when the spaces in the spine narrow and create pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots. In Michael’s case, he has been suffering an ailment on his leg, hence, the need for a walking frame. 

“The operation was fantastic. He’ll be up and dancing again soon,” his wife assured the outlet, adding that Michael is in recovery as a “strong man” and he’s doing “great” so far. 

What do you think about Michael Caine’s enduring love for his wife? If you found his story touching, be sure to pass this along to friends and family, too.