Even as she nears her 82nd birthday, Honor Blackman continues to exude style, sophistication, and sex appeal, proving that age is just a number. Known for her roles as the iconic Bond girl, Pussy Galore, and the crime-fighting Cathy Gale in The Avengers, Blackman remains a symbol of glamour and strength. In an exclusive interview, she opens up about her beauty secrets, her long acting career, her battle with cancer, and her memories of working alongside Sean Connery, the man she considers the best James Bond.
#1. Grandmother and Glamour Icon: Proud of Her Grandchildren
Though known for her youthful appearance, Blackman is now a proud grandmother of four—Oscar, Daisy, Olive, and Toby. Reflecting on her experience as a grandmother, she laughs about how people often asked her during her The Upper Hand days whether she had grandchildren. Back then, she didn’t, and the question annoyed her. Now, however, she admits that she’s just as “boring” as everyone else when it comes to talking about her grandchildren, saying she can’t stop raving about them.
#2. A Passion for Charities and Hospices: Advocating for End-of-Life Care
Blackman’s philanthropic spirit has led her to support many causes, especially hospices. After her ex-husband Maurice Kaufman lost his battle with cancer in 1997, she became an advocate for the care that hospices provide, contrasting it with the sterile hospital environment where her ex-husband passed away. “He was just drugged and drugged,” she recalls, emphasizing the importance of hospices in providing comfort and dignity during the end of life.
#3. Overcoming Breast Cancer: A Story of Resilience
In 2003, Blackman faced her own health challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the tense time around the diagnosis, she considers herself extremely lucky. After undergoing a lumpectomy and radiotherapy, she made a full recovery. Now, she remains diligent with regular checkups, grateful for her health and the care she received.
#4. The Secrets to Youthful Living: Diet, Exercise, and Skincare
When asked about her youthful appearance, Blackman sighs but graciously shares her tips: a sensible diet, regular exercise, and strict skincare routines. She exercises daily, including 15 minutes on her bike and Pilates, though she’s scaled back her routine to prevent injury. She also stresses the importance of cleansing her face thoroughly to maintain a clear complexion. Her approach to beauty, she notes, is about consistent care rather than drastic measures.
#5. Age is Just a Number: Embracing Every Birthday
As she reflects on aging, Blackman maintains that milestones like turning 40, 50, or even 80 never meant much to her. “Age is just a number,” she declares, insisting that the real changes come from within and not from the passage of time. In fact, she seems to take each birthday in stride, even enjoying the celebrations as a reason to gather friends and family.
#6. A Voice Against Domestic Violence: Raising Awareness with Women’s Aid
In 2007, Blackman joined a group of female celebrities in a controversial campaign for Women’s Aid, raising awareness about domestic violence. The campaign featured the stars with makeup depicting bruises and black eyes, a choice that sparked criticism. Despite the backlash, Blackman stood by her decision to participate, believing the campaign could bring attention to the issue. She also pointed out that abuse is not limited to ordinary women—celebrities like Ulrika Jonsson had been victims, too.
#7. A Storied Acting Career: From The Avengers to Goldfinger
Blackman’s career spans more than six decades, having begun at age 17 after choosing elocution lessons over a bicycle for her birthday. Her big break came as the understudy in The Guinea Pig on the West End, and from there, her career blossomed into television, film, and theater. Best known for her roles in The Avengers and Goldfinger, she became an action star in her own right, learning judo for her fight scenes and performing her own stunts.
#8. Working with Sean Connery: The Best Bond and On-Screen Chemistry
Among the many greats Blackman has worked with, she fondly recalls her time with Sean Connery, calling him “the sexiest man on two legs” and “the best Bond.” She praises Connery’s ability to make the often misogynistic Bond character feel believable and charming, adding that his looks, charisma, and Scottish accent only enhanced his portrayal. Blackman’s admiration for Connery is clear, and she describes their on-screen chemistry with a glint in her eye.
#9. A Continued Passion for Acting: Challenging Roles and Charity Work
Even in her eighties, Blackman continues to act and take on roles that challenge and excite her. Currently, she’s playing a Yiddish grandmother in the film Reuniting the Rubens alongside Timothy Spall. While she enjoys the projects she works on, her main focus these days is her grandchildren. However, she still finds time to support causes close to her heart, like the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, where she recently attended a charity event that raised £35,000.
#10. Looking Ahead with Optimism: A Life of Adventure and Purpose
Honor Blackman has lived a life filled with adventure, glamour, and purpose. She continues to pursue her passions, support meaningful causes, and cherish her family. With her wit, beauty, and strength, she proves that life in your eighties can be as full and exciting as ever. As for the future, she’s determined to keep going, both on screen and off, in the ways that matter most to her.
