Let’s face it. James Bond wouldn’t be 007 without the flurry of powerful, strong and extraordinarily beautiful women beside him (and sometimes unknowingly, against him).
As much as we enjoy the action scenes, spectacular settings, expensive cars, and of course, the handsome British man in a suit, we’re mainly fans of the films because of the female leads and cameos, famed as the Bond girls.
So from love interests, to wives and undercover baddies, here are our favourite Bond girls through the years, both then and now.
Ursula Andress – Dr. No, 1962
Ursula (now 85) holds the prestigious title of being the first-ever Bond girl.
Eunice Gayson – Dr. No and From Russia With Love, 1962-63
The actress starred as the girlfriend of James Bond in two films. And Her daughter followed in her footsteps in 1995, with an extra role in Golden Eye.
Daniela Bianchi – From Russia With Love, 1963
You might remember Daniela as Tatiana, the soviet army intelligence corporal. However, what you won’t remember is Daniela’s real voice. Due to her thick Italian accent, Daniela’s voice was dubbed during the film.
Honor Blackman – GoldFinger, 1964
Past experience with judo helped this iconic ‘60s blonde bombshell win over casting agents for the iconic role of Pussy Galore.
Tania Mallet – GoldFinger, 1964
Following a Vogue photoshoot that was spotted by a Bond producer, Tania went on to play the role of Tilly Masterson alongside Sean Connery.
Shirley Eaton – GoldFinger, 1964
You may remember her as the Bond girl who (spoiler) dies after being covered in gold. Well, at least she died in style.
Claudine Auger – Thunderball, 1965
The French actress Claudine, who came in second place at Miss World 1958, went on to play Dominique “Domino” Derval
Martine Beswick – Thunderball, 1965
The English-Jamaican actress and model, Martine Beswick, portrayed James Bond’s assistant, Paula Caplan, in the film.
Diana Rigg – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1969
Diana Rigg once played the wife of James Bond before starring in Game Of Thrones as Lady Olenna.
Barbara Bach – The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977
Barbara Bach is a strong contender for our favourite Bond girl, after playing the Russian spy Amya Amasova. Aside from an impressive acting career, Barbara is also known for being the wife of The Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, and for having some of the best hair during the 1970s.
Tanya Roberts – A View To Kill, 1985
In addition to her roles in Charlie’s Angels and That ‘70s Show, Tanya Roberts portrayed Bond girl, Stacey Sutton.
Grace Jones – A View To Kill, 1985
May Day, the bodyguard and lover of villain Max Zorin, was played by Jamaican singer and model Grace Jones.
Carey Lowell – License To Kill, 1989
The blue-eyed, brunette beauty played ex-CIA agent Pam Bouvier alongside Timothy Dalton.
Famke Janssen – GoldenEye, 1995
Before joining the X-Men cast, Famke played a murderer in the Bond films named Xenia Onatopp.
Michelle Yeoh – Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997
Before her starring roles in Crazy Rich Asians and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon AKA Michelle Yeoh played the love interest of James Bond 24 years ago.
Teri Hatcher – Tomorrow Never Dies, 1997
Before landing on Wisteria Lane, Teri played Paris Carver, the ex-girlfriend of James Bond who he’s trying to win back.
Denise Richards – The World Is Not Enough, 1999
The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills alumni once played a nuclear physicist named Dr Christmas Jones.
Halle Berry – Die Another Day, 2002
Halle debuted as a Bond girl opposite Pierce Brosnan, playing Jinx Johnson the NSA agent.
Eva Green – Casino Royale, 2007
Yes, the Bond girl from that elevator scene. Did James Bond ever recover? Eventually, yes. Will we? Unlikely.
Olga Kurylenko – The Quantum Of Solace, 2008
In preparation to play Bolivian secret agent Camille Montes, actress Olga Kurylenko revealed she took fight scene inspiration from fellow Bond girl, Michelle Yeoh.
Monica Bellucci – Spectre, 2015
Playing Lucia Sciarra at 50- years- old, Monica became the ‘oldest ever’ Bond girl. Speaking to The Sunday Times, she said: “There is this thing in America where actresses reach 40 and go mad.True sexiness is in the mind, the imagination, not in the age of the body”. But also, looking like Monica Bellucci doesn’t hurt either.
Léa Seydoux – Spectre, 2015 and No Time To Die, 2021
After debuting as Madeleine Swann in her first Bond film, Léa Seydoux reprised the role for Daniel Craig’s final Bond film.
Which Bond girl is your favourite?
Amazing ladies all of them – Gosh I remember seeing them all .
Interesting that some of these actresses went on to star in lots of other movies and/or tv shows and some were never seen again. Ursula and that bikini are pretty famous and I think Ursula is No Derek’s mum.
No, both Ursula Andress & Bo Derek were married to John Derek.
I’m not sure if I have a article shows that hey are all still beautiful woman. I think it’s great that there’s been a nice range of women. They’re not all the same type ie: Tall, leggy brunettes. I never knew Terry Hatcher was a Bond girl. I think it would be interesting to see a bit more diversity in the people playing James Bond.
ooh I love the Bond films and can’t wait to see the new one. I like Halle Berry
It’s too hard to choose a favourite, they are all fabulous.
I think they are all fabulous and most of aged very well.
yes they were all lovely Bond girls
Really interesting article. Some have worn much better than others by the photos.
different age range -they covered a lot of years
I’m glad the women are less what to do call it? Needing a hero to save them in the newer movies.
Agree but these ladies were all strong and played good parts
The older Bond movies were very sexist, but the newer ones have strong female characters.
Michelle Yeoh – Tomorrow Never Dies, also my favorite bond movie.
Hard to pick up a favourite..
Ursula and Honor are such cool names!! Them and Olga, Denise, Barbara, Diana, Shirley and Eva are my faves.
I thought Michelle Yeoh looked familiar! Had no idea she was a Bond girl, then again most of the women on the list were not familiar to me
I am not into the Bond movies, but they appear to have had many beautiful women starring in them
Famke Janssen – GoldenEye, 1995
Forgot to also mention when my sister and I were in primary school we had the 007 Golden Eye game on our Nintendo 64 and since then this has become my favourite Bond movie. I love all the Pierce Brosnan ones.
Monica and Famke!
Awesome selection of diverse beauty! Can’t pick a favourite!
Still beautiful ladies.
Wow Grace Jones doesn’t look much different.
I didn’t know Teri Hatcher was in a Bond film.
Some of them have not aged at all!
I love the Bond franchise. These women all look gorgeous.
What about Bond Men? Daniel Craig in his trunks!!!
Beautiful women, have loved watching them all. Still have a chuckle when I see the scene where Pussy Galore introduces herself to Bond (Sean Connery) and he says I must be dreaming.
Wow some beautiful Bond Girls some have aged well and others not so much. 🙂
I totally agree with you.
I was scrolling through, waiting to get to Britt Ekland, but she wasn’t there. She was so beautiful in the 70s.
I love Eva Green in everything! I didn’t realise Dianna Rigg was a Bond girl – I loved her in The Avengers. Grace Jones & Michelle Yeoh are always strong characters.
Gorgeous women. Very hard choice.
All beautiful in their own unique ways ♥️Too hard to choose but I so love the diversity
Great to see these beautiful ladies and how they looks now.
they were chosen for their looks I think?
A fabulous selection of Bond girls but one of my favourites is missing which is Kara from The Living Daylights. Another favourite is Olga (Camille). Perhaps favourites as they seemed to be in more realistic roles than fantasy ones and a bit more relatable.
The eyes have it – can still recognise them from them
Awesome to see many of them have embraced ageing naturally!
So interesting. Still lovely mature ladies
Still stunning!!!
I’d love to see the latest James Bond movie
So many beautiful ladies – but I haven’t seen a Bond film for ages.
I love Grace Jones!
Most of them have aged so well
So interesting to see how they have changed.
Isn’t it so true, we all age. Some well and some not so well
I love the Bond films and characters – the Bond girls were such an integral part of these movies.
The Bond girls were all so spunky and sexy; I loved them. I wanted to be one! (with Sean or Daniel 😉 )