Barbara Bach, now 75, made a lasting impression as a model and actress, reaching the peak of her career with her iconic role in the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. She portrayed Major Anya Amasova, a fierce KGB agent who became both an adversary and a love interest to Roger Moore’s James Bond, the suave yet notorious womanizer of the British Secret Service.
Despite her on-screen chemistry with Bond, Bach had strong opinions about the character. In a 1983 People magazine interview, she famously described Bond as “a chauvinist pig who uses girls to shield him against bullets.” Moore himself acknowledged this perception, once stating in a 1973 People interview—coinciding with his first appearance as Bond in Live and Let Die—that both he and Bond shared similar traits, joking, “Bond, like myself, is a male chauvinist pig.” He humorously added that he had spent much of his life advocating for women to abandon pants and bras.
Before her breakout role in The Spy Who Loved Me, Bach had already made a name for herself in the Italian film industry. She appeared in several Italian productions, including Black Belly of the Tarantula (1971), a thrilling murder mystery in which she starred alongside other notable Bond Girls: Barbara Bouchet (Casino Royale, 1967) and Claudine Auger (Thunderball, 1965).
Bach’s striking beauty, paired with her poised presence, cemented her as a fan favorite. Her portrayal of Major Anya Amasova became an unforgettable milestone in her career, paving the way for future acting roles.
Following her Bond girl success, she took on roles in Mad Magazine Presents Up the Academy (1980), directed by Robert Downey Sr., and the 1981 slapstick comedy Caveman, where she starred alongside Dennis Quaid, Shelley Long, and the legendary Beatles drummer, Ringo Starr—her future husband.
In Caveman, Bach played Lana, the object of Starr’s Neanderthal desires. However, in the storyline, his character eventually abandons her for another mate. But unlike the film’s plot, real life had a far happier ending for the two.
The now-famous amphibious Lotus Esprit, featured in The Spy Who Loved Me, was the backdrop to some of Bach’s most iconic scenes with Roger Moore. The actress quickly became a staple in Bond film history, forever associated with the sophistication and allure of 007’s world.
However, her real-life love story began in a much different setting. Bach and Starr first crossed paths at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) while both were en route to Mexico for the filming of Caveman.
Reflecting on how their romance unfolded, Bach dismissed many rumors about their relationship in a 1981 People interview. “A lot of garbage has been written about us, none of it interesting,” she remarked. “To be honest, we weren’t together until the very end of Caveman. We got along well at work, but we had our own friends and separate lives. Then, during the last week of shooting, it happened unexpectedly. We transitioned from friendly acquaintances to something deeper.”
Ringo Starr, who has been married to Bach for over four decades, still gushes about her to this day. In a 2021 interview with the Irish Examiner, he reminisced about the moment he fell in love.
“I adore the gal,” he said. “When I saw her for the first time at LAX in 1980, I fell in love instantly. I was checking in at the airport, and she was there with a boyfriend. It just so happened that we were both flying to Mexico for the same film. And that was the beginning of everything.”
He continued with heartfelt sincerity: “All I can say is that I’m grateful she’s in my life.”
Of course, Starr was already a global superstar by then. As the drummer for The Beatles, the most influential band in history, his fame had reached supernova levels.
Interestingly, Bach had actually seen The Beatles perform live years before their fateful airport encounter. In 1965, she attended the band’s legendary concert at Shea Stadium in New York. That night, Ringo played alongside his late bandmates John Lennon and George Harrison, as well as Paul McCartney, electrifying a crowd of over 55,000 screaming fans.
However, Bach admitted she wasn’t as enamored with The Beatles as the rest of the world seemed to be. Instead, it was her sister Marjorie who was the die-hard fan. Marjorie even attended the concert in full Beatles fan gear, sporting a Beatles wig.
“My sister Marjorie was a Beatles fan,” Bach revealed in a 1981 interview. “I enjoyed the Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, and [Bob] Dylan.”
Interestingly, in 1975, Marjorie went on to marry Joe Walsh, the legendary guitarist of the Eagles. Walsh later performed alongside his brother-in-law Ringo in Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, an all-star rock supergroup.
On April 27, 1981, just months after the tragic murder of John Lennon, Bach and Starr tied the knot. Their wedding was attended by close friends, including Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
However, their love story nearly met a tragic end before it even began. Just days before their wedding, the couple was involved in a near-fatal car accident. Their vehicle swerved to avoid an oncoming truck and rolled over twice.
Reflecting on that terrifying moment, Starr later stated, “We decided we wouldn’t spend any time apart after that. The longest we’ve ever been apart was five days, and even that felt too long. I want to spend every moment with Barbara.”
Their deep commitment extended beyond their personal lives. In 1988, both Bach and Starr entered rehab together, making the decision to embrace sobriety as a couple. They have remained sober ever since, crediting their unwavering support for one another as the foundation of their success.
To celebrate their enduring love, Starr took to social media in 2021, sharing a touching tribute on their 40th anniversary. Alongside a wedding photo featuring McCartney and Harrison, he wrote, “It was 40 years ago today. The love of my life said yes yes yes.”
But their love story goes beyond romance. Together, they founded The Lotus Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting causes such as cancer research, homelessness, addiction recovery, and animal welfare. Starr, who is also a painter, donates 100% of his art sales to the foundation, ensuring that their success directly benefits those in need.
If they could, they would surely be together “Eight Days a Week.”
Bach summed up their love with a simple yet profound declaration: “I just love the man.”
Starr, equally devoted, echoed the sentiment. “There is no escape,” he joked. “I am so lucky that Barbara still loves me and that we are still together. I think my love for her is just as strong now as it was when we first met.”
Love stories like theirs remind us of the enduring power of devotion and companionship. The bond between Barbara Bach, the unforgettable Bond girl, and Ringo Starr, the rock legend, is nothing short of inspirational. Their journey, both in life and in their philanthropic work, continues to captivate us all.
