Inside Sir Roger Moore's life – four marriages, health battles and royal connection

Sir Roger Moore would have been marking his 94th birthday, but sadly lost a “short but brave” battle four years ago.

The acting legend and former James Bond star was 89 when he tragically passed away in 2017.

Here at Daily Star we’re going to take a look back at Roger’s life that was full to the brim with love, laughter, illness, heartbreak and everything else in between.

From political correctness rows to an array of different health issues, finding the love of his life and tragically losing a stepdaughter.

Keep scrolling to take a look back at the life and times of the great former 007. Happy Birthday, and rest in peace Roger.

Humble beginnings

Roger Moore was born on October 14 1927 in Stockwell, London.

The Bond-to-be was an only child, and he attended Battersea Grammar School, but was evacuated to Holsworthy in Devon during the Second World War.

He went on to attend Launceston College in Cornwall, and was further educated at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School in Buckinghamshire.

He later was an apprentice at an animation studio, but was fired after he made a mistake with some animation cels, but he soon got into the world of media again.

His first big break was as a result of when his father investigated a robbery at the home of film director Brian Desmond Hurst, and a young Roger Moore was introduced to the director.

He was soon hired as an extra for the 1945 film Caesar and Cleopatra.

After attracting a fan base, Brian Desmond Hurst paid for Roger’s fees at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he spent three terms.

Health issues

Roger Moore battled a number of series diseases throughout his life, but he didn’t let the pain or illness stop him from achieving his dreams.

As a child he endured chickenpox, measles, mumps, double pneumonia and jaundice.

He had an infection of his foreskin at the age of eight and underwent a circumcision, and had his appendix, tonsils, and adenoids removed.

Roger suffered from kidney stones throughout his life, and was hospitalised twice during filming.

Roger was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1993, but he underwent successful treatment for the disease and made a full recovery.

He collapsed on stage while appearing on Broadway in 2003, and was fitted with a pacemaker as a result.

The star was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2013.

Finding true love

Roger Moore was married four times, with the first three ending badly before he finally married Kristina “Kiki” Tholstrup.

“I’ve been married four times and caused a great deal of hurt and upset around me,” Moore told The Guardian in 2012 . “I’m a selfish bastard, but I’m just very, very happy that Kristina and I found one another.”

In 2002, Roger and Kiki got married, and Roger said that he loved how organised, serene, loving and calm she was.

He said: “I have a difficult life. I rely on Kristina totally. When we are travelling for my job, she is the one who packs. Kristina takes care of all that”.

He also described his marriage to Kiki as: “a tranquil relationship, there are no arguments”.

Before marrying Kiki, he was married to to Luisa Mattioli, whom he shared three children with.

Becoming Bond

Sean Connery waved goodbye to playing the role of James Bond in 1971, which made way for Roger Moore.

From 1973 to 1985, Roger portrayed the role of the famous 007, and is the second longest-serving James Bond actor to date (after Daniel Craig).

He played the role of James Bond for twelve years, and was the oldest actor to play the role.

At 45 he became James Bond, and at 58 he stepped down.

He appeared in Live and Let Die, 1973; The Man with the Golden Gun , 1974; The Spy Who Loved Me , 1977; Moonraker, 1979; For Your Eyes Only, 1981; Octopussy, 1983; and A View to a Kill, 1985.

Royal connections

Close with Denmark’s royal family, Roger was friendly with Prince Joachim and his then-wife Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg.

He also had a long-standing friendship with Princess Lilian of Sweden, who he first met on a visit to Stockholm.

His wife Kiki was born in Sweden and was already a friend of Princess Lilian’s through mutual friends.

In his autobiography, Roger recalled meeting the princess on several occasions for tea or dinner.

Step-daughter’s cancer battle

Roger’s wife Kiki had a daughter from a previous relationship, Christina Knudsen.

Roger was a doting stepfather to Christina, with her describing him as a positive influence in her life, when she said: “I was in difficult relationships but that all changed [when her mother met Roger]”.

Christina Knudsen died from cancer on July 25 2016, at the age of 47.

Her stepfather, Roger, posted on Twitter, “Our beautiful daughter Christina (aka Flossie) lost her battle with cancer 25 July at 10am. We are heartbroken,” Moore wrote, later adding, “We were all with her, surrounding her with love, at the end.”‘

Controversial political views

Roger Moore was a devout Conservative supporter and was described as a “lifelong” supporter of the Conservative Party.

He endorsed the party during 2001 UK general election, but later expressed a reluctance to be seen as a political figure and felt his work with UNICEF meant that he could not involve himself directly in politics.

In 2011, Roger openly supported Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron regarding his policy on the European Union.

He said: “I think he’s doing absolutely wonderfully well, despite the opposition from many members of his own party. Traitors, I call them. I mean any hardliner within the Conservative Party who speaks out against their leader. You should support your leader.”

In 2015, the former James Bond actor criticised the ‘excessive political correctness’ within the film industry and felt that rewriting James Bond‘s sexuality, gender or ethnicity would be a mistake.

He said: “It is not about being homophobic or, for that matter, racist – it is simply about being true to the character.”

Tragic death

Roger Moore tragically passed away on May 23 2017, dying in Switzerland from lung and liver cancer.

He died at his home in Crans-Montana, in the presence of his family.

Former 007 actors Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig paid tribute to him.

In true Bond-style, Roger is buried in Monaco Cemetery.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk