She will be forever remembered as the fresh-faced Bond beauty in the 1987 film The Living Daylights, but four decades on, Maryam d'Abo is embracing the natural process of ageing with grace and conviction.
A Stance Against Cosmetic Surgery
The actress, who is preparing for a return to the London stage later this month, has firmly ruled out the cosmetic surgery that has become commonplace among many of her peers in the entertainment industry. 'It's not my thing,' declares the 65-year-old star. 'I have not grown up with that world. I grew up admiring wonderful actresses like Jeanne Moreau and Simone Signoret, who aged naturally. I wouldn't dare go there!'
Despite her iconic role as Kara Milovy opposite Timothy Dalton's James Bond, d'Abo reveals a humble perspective on her own appearance during her youth. 'I never saw myself as beautiful in the times when that's how people saw me,' she admits. 'You don't go walking around thinking, "Oh I'm beautiful!" There are some mornings when you wake up and you feel great, and others when you don't.'
Navigating the Ups and Downs of Ageing
The actress describes ageing as a complex journey, shared by all. 'I feel like any normal human being, that ageing is not an easy process and you have your ups and downs, good days and bad days,' she reflects. This candid outlook comes after a challenging period in her life, marked by significant health and personal trials.
In 2007, d'Abo suffered a brain haemorrhage that required surgery, an event that has had a lasting impact on her memory and left her feeling anxious about learning lines for her theatrical roles. 'If there's anything that's affected me from the brain haemorrhage it's been my memory,' she explains. 'I think it's a combination of age and that. Your muscle is weaker because it's been intrusive—they opened my skull and put a tiny little metal in there. I feel like the memory muscle has been weakened.'
She adds, 'I was told that everything would be enhanced after the operation, and I had terrible memory after the operation but that's also due to all the drugs I was put on. Learning lines is hell. But ask any actor of a certain age what it's like learning lines when you've got a lot of them. I'm anxious about it because of that.'
Personal Loss and Moving Forward
The past year brought profound personal sorrow with the death of her husband, Oscar-winning director Hugh Hudson, in 2023. The couple had been married for 20 years, with Hudson being 24 years her senior. They had no children together, a decision d'Abo says she has 'no regrets' about, citing the world's current state as a 'dark place.'
On coping with her loss, she states, 'You have to keep going. You can't stop and have self-pity—that doesn't get you anywhere. Many people out there are in a much worse situation than I am at this time. At the moment I just want to be in the familiar comfort zone of my friends. The friendships have been extraordinary through a grieving.'
A New Chapter on Stage
d'Abo's upcoming play, Spanish Oranges, written by her friend Alba Arikha, marks her first stage appearance in over 25 years. The production will run at The Playground Theatre in London from February 11 until March 7, offering audiences a chance to see the actress in a new light.
While there is no new romantic relationship in her life, d'Abo finds solace and companionship in Winston, the French Basset hound she shared with her late husband. 'If there is one man in my life he's my dog,' she says affectionately. 'He was our dog and we loved him dearly. He's 13 now, and all my friends and I adore him. He goes everywhere with me, even to rehearsals.'
Through her resilience, d'Abo continues to inspire, proving that beauty and strength are found not in perfection, but in authenticity and the courage to face life's challenges head-on.
