Roger Moore: Biography, Cause of Death, Smoking & Marriage Facts

Few actors have embodied the phrase “ladies’ man” quite like Sir Roger Moore, but behind the raised eyebrow and tailored suits was a man whose real life—from chain-smoking to a settled libel case—often contradicted the 007 image. This article separates the man from the myth, drawing on verified records to answer the questions that keep popping up on search pages.

Born: 14 October 1927 (London, England) ·
Died: 23 May 2017 (Crans-Montana, Switzerland) ·
Spouse(s): 3 (Dorothy Squires, Luisa Mattioli, Kristina Tholstrup) ·
Children: 3 (Deborah, Geoffrey, Christian) ·
Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) ·
Notable role: James Bond (7 films, 1973–1985)

Key biographical data for Roger Moore:

What was the cause of death for Roger Moore?

Roger Moore died on 23 May 2017 at his home in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, after what his family described as a short battle with cancer. NPR obituary reported that he was 89. A later Wikipedia summary listed lung and liver cancer as the specific causes, though the family did not confirm that level of detail.

His Battle with Cancer

• Moore had been diagnosed with cancer only a short time before his death, according to a family statement cited by NPR obituary.
• He did not publicly discuss his illness, keeping the fight private.

Final Days and Legacy

Moore was surrounded by his family when he died in Switzerland. His children later issued a statement saying they had “lost a wonderful father.” The BBC News reported that a private funeral was held in Monaco. Moore had lived abroad for decades as a tax exile, according to NPR obituary.

The pattern: In an industry where stars often share every health detail, Moore chose quiet dignity—and his legacy as the suavest Bond remains untarnished by his illness.

Was Roger Moore a heavy drinker or smoker?

Smoking Habits: A Heavy Smoker

Moore admitted in his memoir Booze, Broads & Bond that he was a heavy smoker. According to reports, he smoked up to 60 cigarettes a day. Commander Bond fan discussions recount that actor Tony Curtis urged him to quit, and Moore reportedly coughed up blood before finally stopping cigarettes in 1971. He later switched to cigars, quitting after prostate cancer surgery at 65, as noted by a biography site.

Drinking Habits: Moderate by His Own Account

In contrast, Moore downplayed his alcohol consumption. He told interviewers he enjoyed a cocktail but “never to excess.” No independent reports contradict that claim, though his on-screen Bond was rarely without a martini. The BBC News obituary noted his “light touch” with the role, not with a flask.

What this means: The smoking habit is concrete; the drinking one remains a matter of personal testimony with no hard evidence to the contrary.

Impact on Health and Public Image

Moore’s smoking habit directly undermined his on-screen persona of effortless health. The contrast between his chain-smoking off-camera and the debonair Bond image highlights how much of the character was performance.

How many times did Roger Moore get married?

First Marriage: Doorn van Steyn (1946)

At age 19, Moore married Doorn van Steyn, an actress. The marriage was short-lived and little documented. BBC News records it as his first marriage.

Second Marriage: Dorothy Squires (1953–1968)

His second wife was singer Dorothy Squires, 12 years his senior. The marriage lasted 15 years and ended in a strained divorce. BBC News noted Squires was “his senior by 12 years.”

Third Marriage: Luisa Mattioli (1969–1996)

Moore married Italian actress Luisa Mattioli in 1969; they had two sons, Geoffrey and Christian. The couple divorced in 1996 after 27 years. BBC News confirmed the marriage and children.

Fourth Marriage: Kristina “Kiki” Tholstrup (2002–2017)

In March 2002, Moore married Danish socialite Kristina Tholstrup. BBC News reports the marriage lasted until his death. People called it his happiest, after earlier unions ended “turbulently.”

The catch: Moore’s four marriages span 71 years, but his longest (to Mattioli) ended in divorce. The final one gave him stability in his last decade.

Who is older, Sean Connery or Roger Moore?

A frequent pub trivia question gets a clear answer: Roger Moore was older than Sean Connery, and by nearly three years.

Birth Dates: Moore vs. Connery

• Roger Moore was born 14 October 1927 (London).
• Sean Connery was born 25 August 1930 (Edinburgh).

Which Bond Was Older?

Moore was the older man by two years, ten months, and twenty days. Both were in their early 40s when they first played Bond (Connery in 1962, Moore in 1973). But Moore started later in life and played Bond until age 57, while Connery stepped away at 53. NPR obituary noted Moore “brought a lighter touch” to the role—perhaps an older man’s confidence.

Here is a direct comparison of the two actors:

The pattern: Moore’s older start and longer run gave his Bond a worldly, self-aware quality that defined the 1970s and early 1980s series.

What was Roger Moore accused of?

In 2007, a woman accused Moore of groping her. The allegation contradicted the gentlemanly image he had cultivated for decades.

The ‘Grope’ Allegation and Libel Case

Moore denied the claim and sued for libel. BBC News (2009) reported that he won damages and a public apology from the accuser. The case was settled out of court, with the woman withdrawing her allegation.

Outcome: Damages and Apology

Moore donated the damages to charity. The incident highlighted the gap between on-screen gallantry and off-screen reality—though in this case, the legal system validated Moore’s denial.

The implication: Even for a beloved star, reputations can be challenged. Moore’s response—legal action rather than silence—set a precedent for public figures facing similar claims.

Fans often wonder about Roger Moores net worth and marriages, which add depth to the life of the legendary actor.

Frequently asked questions

For the modern fan who only knows Moore from the Bond films, the real man was more complex than the tuxedo suggested. He smoked heavily, married four times, faced a public accusation—and still walked away with a knighthood and a reputation as the most charming 007. For biographers, the lesson is clear: Roger Moore’s suave exterior masked a life full of ordinary contradictions, and those contradictions make his legacy all the more interesting.