Barbara Bach Turned Her Back on Hollywood to Find Her Hero in Ringo Starr
As the iconic Bond girl, Triple X, Barbara Bach didn’t need rescuing by the charming spy. Instead, she was on a quest to find her own hero.
That hero came in the form of Sir Richard Starkey—better known to the world as Ringo Starr. It was with him that she found the love and life she truly desired, choosing to step away from the Hollywood spotlight to build a life with her rockstar husband.
At 75, Barbara Bach was a stunning model and actress at the peak of her career when she captivated audiences in 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me. In her iconic role as the fierce and alluring Triple X, she became both a potential adversary and love interest to Roger Moore’s legendary James Bond, the notorious 007 agent with a reputation for breaking hearts.
In a 1983 People article, Barbara Bach famously described James Bond as “a chauvinist pig who uses girls to shield him against bullets.” Roger Moore, who played Bond, agreed with her sentiment. In a 1973 interview with People—the year he debuted as 007 in Live and Let Die—Moore declared, “Bond, like myself, is a male chauvinist pig. I’ve spent my entire life advocating for women to stop wearing pants and brassieres.”
Before stepping into the Bond universe, Bach had already made her mark in Italian cinema, starring in several films including Black Belly of the Tarantula (1971), a thrilling murder mystery. She shared the screen with fellow Bond Girls Barbara Bouchet (from Casino Royale 1967) and Claudine Auger (from Thunderball 1965).
Her portrayal of the fierce KGB agent Major Anya Amasova in The Spy Who Loved Mecemented her as a beloved icon and set the stage for a successful acting career. After her Bond debut, Bach went on to star in Mad Magazine Presents Up the Academy (1980), directed by Robert Downey Sr., and the slapstick comedy Caveman (1981). In Caveman, she starred alongside Dennis Quaid, Shelley Long, and—now-82-year-old—Ringo Starr, who played a Neanderthal who falls for her character Lana, only to later ditch her for another partner.
In contrast to their on-screen relationship in Caveman, the real-life romance between Barbara Bach and Ringo Starr unfolded quite differently. The two first met at the Los Angeles airport while en route to a Mexican filming location for Caveman.
As Bach revealed in a 1981 Playboy interview, “A lot of garbage has been written about us, none of it interesting.” She was candid about their relationship, admitting, “We weren’t together until the very end of Caveman. We got along well at work, but each of us had our own friends and lives. Then, in the final week of shooting, it happened without warning. We transitioned from being friends to falling in love.”
Ringo Starr, reflecting on the moment years later, shared his deep affection for Bach in a 2021 interview with the Irish Examiner. He recalled, “I adore the gal. When I saw her for the first time at LAX in 1980, I fell in love. I was at the airport checking in, and she was there with a boyfriend. It just so happened that we were both heading to Mexico to work on the same film. And thus it came to pass.” Starr added, “All I can say is that I’m grateful she’s in my life.”
Their connection blossomed into a love story that has lasted over four decades, marking a beautiful chapter in both their lives.
Ringo Starr, the legendary drummer of The Beatles, remains an iconic figure in the world of music, known for his role in shaping the sound of the most influential band in history.
Interestingly, Barbara Bach’s connection to The Beatles predates her relationship with Starr. She was actually at The Beatles’ historic performance at Shea Stadium in New York in 1965, where she witnessed Ringo alongside the late John Lennon, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney—the Fab Four—creating one of the most unforgettable moments in music history. Little did she know that, years later, she’d find love with the man behind the drum kit.
Despite being at The Beatles’ iconic Shea Stadium performance in 1965, Barbara Bach admits she wasn’t exactly a die-hard Beatles fan. She attended the concert with her sister Marjorie, who was so enamored with the band that she wore a Beatles wig, and her friend Joe Walsh. In a 1981 interview, Bach shared, “My sister Marjorie was a Beatles fan. I enjoyed the Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, and [Bob] Dylan.”
In 1975, Marjorie married Walsh, who would later become the guitarist for the Eagles. Walsh also joined his brother-in-law in the live rock supergroup Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, solidifying the connection between Bach’s family and Starr’s musical world.
Barbara and Ringo Starr tied the knot on April 27, 1981, with Paul McCartney and George Harrison attending the ceremony, just a few months after John Lennon’s tragic murder. Since that day, the couple has remained inseparable.
Their bond was tested early on, however, when a terrifying car accident occurred just before their wedding. The couple’s car swerved to avoid a truck and rolled over twice before coming to a stop in a near-fatal collision. Starr reflected on the incident, saying, “We decided we wouldn’t spend any time apart. The longest hiatus to date was five days, which was excessive. I wish I could spend every moment with Barbara.” It was a defining moment that reinforced their commitment to one another, and since then, they’ve remained a devoted couple.
To celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2021, Ringo Starr shared a heartwarming picture from his wedding day, featuring McCartney and Harrison alongside the couple. He captioned the photo with the sweet words, “It was 40 years ago today the love of my life said yes yes yes,” marking a milestone in their enduring love story.
Beyond their personal connection, the couple’s love extends to their shared philanthropic efforts. Together, they run The Lotus Foundation, a nonprofit that funds initiatives focused on cancer, homelessness, substance misuse, and animal welfare. Starr, who is also an accomplished artist, donates 100% of the profits from his work to support the foundation’s mission.
Their blended family also plays a significant role in their lives—Bach has two children with her ex-husband Augusto Gregorini, while Starr has three children with his late wife, Maureen Cox.
Though they’ve been together for four decades, it’s clear they would spend “Eight Days a Week” together if they could. As Bach lovingly put it, “I just love the man.” Their bond remains as strong as ever, a testament to the power of love and shared purpose.
“There is no escape,” Ringo Starr says with a smile. “I am extremely fortunate that Barbara still loves me and that we are still together. I believe that my love for her is just as strong now as it was when we first met.”
Their enduring love is truly inspiring! The bond between Barbara Bach, the iconic former Bond girl, and Ringo Starr, her rock star husband, is a testament to lasting love and devotion.
We’re excited to see what the future holds for them, both in their personal lives and through their continued charitable work. Their shared passion for helping others is just as heartwarming as their relationship!
