Halle Berry Confirms Ownership of Iconic James Bond Bikini
Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry has confirmed she remains the proud owner of the legendary orange bikini she wore in the 2002 James Bond film Die Another Day. The 59-year-old star made the revelation during a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, where an audience member directly asked if she had kept the stringy two-piece swimsuit.
A Question That Lives Rent-Free
"Yep!" Berry enthusiastically declared, settling the mystery that has lingered for over two decades since the film's release. Host Drew Barrymore emphasized the cultural weight of the query, stating, "Now that's a question! It lives rent free in all of our minds." Berry first donned the now-iconic ensemble as she emerged from the ocean playing NSA agent Jinx, paired with a distinctive thick white belt that sat low on her hips and featured a knife holster.
Curating an Iconic Look
In a 2021 interview with Vogue, Berry detailed the extensive process behind creating the perfect Bond look. "We tried on so many bathing suits," she explained. "So many bikinis and so many belts." The actress and her team had a prescient understanding of the outfit's potential longevity, noting, "We had a knowing that it would maybe, because it was in a Bond movie, become an iconic situation… something that would live a very, very long time."
The Scrapped Jinx Spin-Off Film
Berry also addressed the disappointing cancellation of a proposed James Bond spin-off movie centered on her character, Jinx. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson actively lobbied for the project, but studio MGM ultimately balked at the estimated $80 million budget. In a 2020 Variety cover story, Berry called the decision "disappointing," reflecting, "It was ahead of its time. Nobody was ready to sink that kind of money into a black female action star. They just weren't sure of its value. That's where we were then."
Maintaining Timeless Beauty and Vitality
Berry continues to captivate audiences with her enduring beauty and fitness. In August, she celebrated her 59th birthday by sharing a sizzling bikini-clad photo on social media. She leads an intensely active lifestyle, adhering to a strict health, wellness, and fitness regimen. In a September 2024 interview with Marie Claire, Berry revealed she feels "better and stronger" now than in her younger years.
Her comprehensive routine includes:
- Red light therapy sessions
- Regular gym workouts
- A sugar-free diet
- A cocktail of vitamins and supplements
- Hormone treatments including progesterone, testosterone, and estriol
- Hot and cold therapy treatments
- Long-term collaboration with personal trainer Peter Lee Thomas
"Age is just a number that they stick on us at birth," Berry told the magazine, adding confidently, "I feel like I’m now at the pinnacle." The actress, who recently confirmed her engagement to longtime boyfriend Van Hunt, remains a formidable presence both on and off the screen, with the iconic orange bikini serving as a lasting symbol of her impactful career.
