Sir Sean Connery's widow Micheline shares James Bond actor’s final moments as he ‘slipped away without a fuss’

The widow of Scottish screen legend Sir Sean Connery has revealed the final moments of the James Bond actor, who died at the age of 90, were “peaceful”.

Paying an emotional tribute to her "model of a man”, Sir Sean’s wife, Micheline, told the Daily Mail the Oscar-winning star suffered from dementia, which “took its toll on him”.

The 91-year-old Moroccan-French painter, who married Sir Sean in 1975, said: “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.”

Sir Sean Connery with wife Micheline at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, in July 2000, after he was formally knighted by the Queen during a ceremony in his home city.

Micheline added: “He was gorgeous and we had a wonderful life together. He was a model of a man. It is going to be very hard without him, I know that. But it could not last forever and he went peacefully.”

Sir Sean, seen in the eyes of many as the definitive James Bond, died “peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family” at home in the Bahamas on Saturday.

Over a glittering, five-decade career, the Scottish actor won an Oscar, two Baftas and three Golden Globes, and continued to find huge success after leaving Bond.

Since the news of his passing, a host of stars have come forward to pay their respects, including fellow Bond actor Pierce Brosnan.

Brosnan, who starred as secret agent 007 in four films, described Sir Sean as “one of the true greats of cinema”, adding that the Edinburgh-born actor “cast a long shadow of cinematic splendour that will live on forever”.

He said: “Sir Sean Connery, you were my greatest James Bond as a boy, and as a man who became James Bond himself. You cast a long shadow of cinematic splendour that will live on forever.

“You were mighty in every way, as an actor and as a man, and will remain so till the end of time. Your were loved by the world, and will be missed. God bless, rest now, be at peace.”

Robert De Niro, who starred alongside Sir Sean in 1987’s The Untouchables, for which the Scot earned a best supporting actor Oscar for his role as veteran policeman Jimmy Malone, also paid his respects.

De Niro said: “I’m very sorry to hear about Sean’s passing. He seemed much younger than 90; I expected – and hoped – he’d be with us much longer. See you up there, Sean.”

Meanwhile, Daniel Craig, who is due to appear as 007 for the final time in the delayed No Time To Die, shared a tribute via the official Bond Twitter account.

The 52-year-old said: “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. He will continue to influence actors and film-makers alike for years to come.

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