Pierce Brosnan’s Wife Of Over 20 Years Is A ‘Great Woman’ Who Healed Him From Life As A Widower & Single Dad

Aug 15, 2023 by apost team

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.

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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 gushed about Smith to People in 2017 after taking a road trip with her and cited her company as being the best thing about their getaway.

“We didn’t listen to any music, but we just listened to the sounds of each other’s voices and sorted out the world,” he said, while also revealing that one of the secrets to their long-lasting love was spending quality time together.

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.”

Pierce and Smith's love has proven time and again that it goes beyond the surface level. In honor of their wedding anniversary, Pierce, on Aug. 5, 2022, posted a throwback picture of the happy couple on their special day, captioning the post: "Happy Anniversary my love Keely, we danced that night and still dance the dance today. I could do it all again."

The hearts of fans everywhere melted at the adorable gesture.

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

He even uploaded a post to mark the day they met in Mexico, as he wrote:

"Twenty-eight years ago this day, Apr. 8, 1994 we met in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We married at Ballintubber Abbey, Ireland then celebrated for three days at Ashford Castle. 8th of the 4th … 4884 … my love always, you have made my life one of joy and happiness, light of my life, love."

Pierce and Smith’s journey as man and wife marked its 22nd year in 2023, and the latter took to social media to celebrate the occasion with a carousel of beautiful throwback photos from their wedding. The snaps showed the handsome groom smiling from ear to ear in every photo with his new wife, while the bride looked resplendent in her white gown and lace cover-up. One photo even showed Smith as she walked down the aisle, ready to start a new chapter in her life that would bloom to this day.

“Happy Anniversary @piercebrosnanofficial ♥️ Thank you for always being up for this adventure called life. 4-8-94 / 8-4-2001,” she wrote in the caption, referring to two very important dates: the day they met in Mexico and the day they traded “I do’s.” It took them a long time to go from meeting to marrying, which is perhaps evidence of Pierce’s need to fully overcome the loss of his first wife before jumping into the next era of his life. 

Since that happy day, the pair have gone on to build a beautiful family and life for themselves. Despite becoming a full-time mother, Smith hasn’t let go of her activist past and has continued to champion causes close to her heart, something her son clearly admires her for.

“Our mom is great,” Paris told People. “Our mother has always been hands-on with everything she does whether it’s Heal the Bay, Save the Whales or getting our dad involved in things. She’s always been the main philanthropist in the family.” 

Meanwhile, Pierce shared some insight into the simple things he enjoys with Smith:

“Keely is such a wonderful cook. I always have the best table in the house when I’m sitting at her table. But date nights are Giorgio Baldi (a restaurant in Santa Monica). That’s where we had our first date.”

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.