Who is James Martin’s ex-girlfriend Barbara Broccoli?
The chef has already moved on from his girlfriend Louise Davies
JAMES Martin shocked fans when he revealed he had split from his girlfriend of 12 years Louise Davies.
However, she’s not the only flame that he’s shaken and stirred, as he enjoyed a four-and-a-half year romance with James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.
Who is James Martin’s ex girlfriend Barbara Broccoli?
Barbara Dana Broccoli was born in Los Angeles in 1960 and raised in London.
She is the daughter of James Bond producer Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and actress Dana Wilson Broccoli.
Broccoli earned her degree from Loyola Marymount University in LA, where she studied motion picture and television communications.
Broccoli tied the knot with director and film producer Frederick M. Zollo in 1991, and together they had one child.
The couple subsequently divorced.
The James Bond producer reportedly has a net worth of $400 million.
What does James Martin’s ex girlfriend Barbara Broccoli do?
Broccoli got involved with the Bond series at 17, initially working in the publicity department for “The Spy Who Loved Me”.
She later took on the role of assistant director for “Octopussy” and subsequently became an associate producer for “The Living Daylights”.
Broccoli was given control of Eon Productions in 1995 by her father, and produced the James Bond film franchise alongside her brother Michael G. Wilson.
The duo has produced nine Bond movies, among them “Skyfall” and “No Time To Die”.
In recognition of her contributions, she was appointed CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List in 2021.
In 2013, she and Wilson received the David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures.
Following the success of their 60th Anniversary Diamond Gala at Shaftesbury Theatre in 2016, Broccoli was appointed president at the National Youth Theatre.
She has also worked on stage, having helped create the stage musical version of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” based on the 1968 musical film starring Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes.
In 2012, during the celebrations of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Broccoli also co-produced the capital’s stage adaptation of “Chariots of Fire,” based on the 1981 film with the same name.
Broccoli’s connection to “Chariots of Fire” dates back to 1980 when she connected her friend Dodi Fayed with the screenplay.
He subsequently co-financed the movie and took on the role of its executive producer.
When did James Martin and Barbara Broccoli start dating?
The Hollywood boss met James Martin when she paid £18,000 to have him cook a meal for her as part of a charity auction in 2001 when he was 29.
He wrote later: “The meal was hilarious, and we just clicked.”
Barbara, being 12 years older than James, lavished him with extravagant presents, like three original paintings by Picasso, and left him in awe by introducing him to her high-profile friends, including Nicole Kidman and Halle Berry.
Why did James Martin and Barbara Broccoli split up?
After a five-year relationship, the former Saturday Kitchen star disclosed that he realised his relationship with the filmmaker was destined to end when she suggested buying him a £180,000 Aston Martin.
“It wasn’t as if it was my birthday or Christmas – it was just a spur of the moment thought,” he recounted.
“It was a defining moment in our relationship. Deep down, I knew there was always going to be an imbalance,” he said.
Reflecting on their time together, he mentioned that ending things with Barbara might have been “the daftest thing I have done in my life.”
He also regrets making their romance public.
“It was a big mistake. I stupidly didn’t listen to people, but I won’t be doing that again,” he confessed.
The 51-year-old is now reportedly dating personal trainer Kim Johnson after they were spotted browsing watches in a shop in Mayfair.