'MODEL OF A MAN'
Sir Sean Connery holds devoted wife’s hand as he fights dementia in poignant final pic of them together
SIR Sean Connery holds his devoted wife's hand as he fights dementia in a poignant final picture of the couple together.
The moving snap was taken in the Bahamas on the pair's 45th wedding anniversary on May 6 this year - as wife Michele Roquebrune paid tribute to her "gorgeous model of a man".
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The Oscar-winning star passed away in his sleep yesterday at the age of 90, his family confirmed.
A heartfelt image shows the couple, who have been married for 45 years, smiling together - as Micheline revealed how Sir Sean's last months were blighted by dementia.
She said: "It was no life for him. He was not able to express himself latterly.
"At least he died in his sleep and it was just so peaceful.
"I was with him all the time and he just slipped away. It was what he wanted.
"He had dementia and it took its toll on him. He got his final wish to slip away without any fuss."
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A statement from Sir Sean's publicist yesterday confirmed that he had died "surrounded by family."
It added: "There will be a private ceremony followed by a memorial yet to be planned once the virus has ended."
Sir Sean, who played Bond between 1962-71, won a string of acting awards including an Oscar, two Bafta awards and three Golden Globes.
He was also knighted by the Queen in Holyrood Palace in 2000.
Sir Sean's son Jason Connery told the BBC that his father "had many of his family who could be in the Bahamas around him" when he passed away overnight.
He said: "We are all working at understanding this huge event as it only happened so recently, even though my dad has been unwell for some time.
"A sad day for all who knew and loved my dad and a sad loss for all people around the world who enjoyed the wonderful gift he had as an actor."
His family added: “There will be a private ceremony followed by a memorial yet to be planned once the virus has ended.”
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Sir Sean's other films included The Hunt for Red October and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
His final film was The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen in 2003.
The Scottish actor landed his first role as 007 in 1962's 'Dr. No', which propelled him to international stardom.
His subsequent Bond films - including 'From Russia With Love' and 'Goldfinger' - are still regarded as some of the finest in the series.
A poll of over 14,000 fans found that 56 per cent of people believed Connery was the best Bond actor of all time.
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Tributes have since flooded in to remember the acting legend.
Bond actor Daniel Craig wrote: "It is with such sadness that I heard of the passing of one of the true greats of cinema.
"Sir Sean Connery will be remembered as Bond and so much more. He defined an era and a style.
"The wit and charm he portrayed on screen could be measured in mega watts; he helped create the modern blockbuster."
The wit and charm he portrayed on screen could be measured in mega watts
Daniel Craig
The British Film Institute said: "We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of iconic actor Sir Sean Connery, aged 90."
James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said: “We are devastated by the news of the passing of Sir Sean Connery.
"He was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words — 'The name’s Bond... James Bond.'"
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BAFTA also paid tribute to the heroic actor.
They said: "We are very sorry to hear of the death of British acting legend Sir Sean Connery.
"He was a BAFTA Fellow, a BAFTA Special Award recipient and won a Leading Actor BAFTA in 1988 for The Name Of The Rose."
Piers Morgan wrote: "RIP Sir Sean Connery, 90. The first James Bond. The best James Bond. What sad news."
Odeon cinema said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sean Connery, the legendary actor who defined James Bond for many. RIP."
Former First Minister Alex Salmond today described Sir Sean as the "world's greatest Scot, the last of the real Hollywood stars, the definitive bond".
Hi successor Nicola Sturgeon said: "I was heartbroken to learn this morning of the passing of Sir Sean Connery. Our nation today moruns one of her best loved sons.
"Sean was born into a working class Edinburgh family and through talent and sheer hard work, became an international film icon and one of the world's most accomplished actors.
"Sean will be remembered best as James Bond - the classic 007 - but his roles were many and varied.
"He was a global legend but, first and foremost, a patriotic and proud Scot - his towering presence at the opening of the Scottish Parliament and in 1999 showed his love for the country of his birth."
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The acting legend's tragic death comes just months after his 90th birthday in August.
Sir Sean was pictured earlier this year .
The last time the star was spotted away from the Bahamas was in New York in 2017 when he seen needing a walking stick.
In the past three years, Connery became a virtual recluse and rarely left his gated community on the island, where he lived with his second wife Micheline Roquebrune.
In September 2019, Sean revealed he was “lucky” to survive after his Bahamas mansion escaped the worst of Hurricane Dorian.
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Leading tributes in his beloved Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "I was heartbroken to learn this morning of the passing of Sir Sean Connery.
"Our nation today mourns one of her best loved sons.
“Sean was born into a working class Edinburgh family and through talent and sheer hard work, became a film icon and one of the world's most accomplished actors.
“He will be remembered best as James Bond - for many, the classic 007 - but his roles were many and varied."
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Born in 1930, Sean was the son of Joe, a truck driver, and Euphamia, a laundress.
Living on the top floor of a tenement in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, his family had no hot water, no bathroom and shared a bathroom with a dozen families.
He started out working in the Navy and went on to have a range of jobs and spent time as a lorry driver and babysitter.
Sean - worth an estimated £266million - donated a significant cut of his earnings to the Scottish International Education Trust to help students from poor backgrounds like his own.
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The Scottish superstar retired from acting in 2006, and from public life entirely in 2011.
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Paying tribute, Paddy McGuinness wrote: "Icon, legend, phenomenon, megastar. 2020 is just relentless! RIP Sean Connery. #007."
Film star Hugh Jackman said: "I grew up idolizing #SeanConnery. A legend on screen, and off. Rest In Peace."
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Who was Sean Connery’s wife Micheline Roquebrune and did he have children?
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