Michael Caine and his wife Shakira’s heartwarming love story has inspired many.
The couple’s marriage has stood the test of time despite Michael having a career in an industry known for breakups and divorces.
Shakira has been with Michael for five decades, and in the actor’s eyes, she is the only person who doesn’t have a bad side.
When Michael Caine first saw his wife, Shakira, in a TV commercial, it was love at first sight. What first started as an admiration has blossomed into a happy, 50-year-long marriage.
Michael shared their heartwarming love story during an appearance on “The Jonathan Ross Show.” “I saw this lady on the television in a commercial and fell in love instantly,” he said.
Even though it was a coffee commercial in Brazil, Michael strongly felt that Shakira was the woman for him, and he was about to fly to Brazil to meet her until a friend told him she lived in London, just a mile from him. Michael recalled their first date, describing Shakira as the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
On the other hand, Shakira had a different perception of Michael. She said the actor was everything she didn’t expect. Shakira had watched Michael’s 1971 crime drama film, “Get Carter,” where he portrayed the ruthless and aggressive character Jack Carter, and she was initially taken aback.
However, she found him charming and gentle upon meeting him in real life. Michael’s qualities and attributes ultimately made her want to spend her life with him. At the time, Michael was against marriage, but when Shakira became pregnant, Michael’s beliefs against marriage had shifted, and he was thinking about it.
Michael and Shakira tied the knot on January 8, 1973. The couple walked down the aisle at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. The lovebirds have been happily married for 50 years and share a daughter, Natasha Caine, born the same year they married.
Michael’s deep attachment to his family reached a point where he couldn’t go to filming locations without them. During this time, Shakira had the opportunity to join the cast of the 1975 film “The Man Who Would Be King,” starring alongside Michael.
Shakira got the role when the movie’s director replaced another actress, Tessa Dahl, who was initially supposed to play the part. Shakira took Tessa’s place as the director felt Tessa didn’t have the correct native appearance for the character.
But after the movie premiered, Shakira panicked and had no desire to pursue an acting career. Likewise, Michael had decided that “The Man Who Would Be King” would be her first and last movie and that Shakira would stay home and focus on raising their family.
While Shakira’s willingness to agree to her husband’s commands may raise concerns among feminists, how they relate has made their marriage last for many years. Shakira clarified in an interview that she is not entirely submissive and expresses herself when needed.
Michael also shared that he and his wife have a true partnership without the influence of male chauvinism or women’s liberation standards. As the couple continued to inspire many people, Shakira shared marriage advice, noting that if a union encounters a problem, a significant portion of the blame, approximately 60 percent, lies with the woman.
Even in old age, Shakira continues to exude beauty, and Michael never ceases to express his admiration for her. He fondly recalled their romantic days in their younger years when they enjoyed staycations and intimate getaways.
One of Michael’s cherished memories is their frequent visits to the George V Hotel in Paris, which he called little honeymoons, where they would spend quality time away from everyone.
Michael’s Wife Came to His Life at the Right Time
Shakira has been a blessing in Michael’s life. In his book, “Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life,” the veteran actor narrates how his wife found him in a bad state and saved his life.
He opens up about his struggle with alcoholism, especially in the 1970s when he had gotten to the point of drinking two bottles of vodka a day. Michael points out how fortunate he was that Shakira showed up in his life at the right time.
It was during this period that Michael’s life took a positive turn. Having an extraordinary woman by his side made the empty feeling he had disappear. “I fell in love with her in about eight minutes. It took her two hours to fall in love with me,” he said.
Additionally, Shakira’s pregnancy brought a newfound purpose, and the actor was ready to embrace fatherhood. This pivotal moment led the 90-year-old actor to quit drinking for a year and refrain from consuming alcohol during the day.
The actor and his wife are also dotting grandparents to two grandchildren. Michael once told a story of how he became a hero in his grandchildren’s eyes.
The actor shared a time when he was watching a cartoon with one of his grandchildren when a trailer for one of the “Batman” films appeared, showing him standing next to Batman, played by Christian Bale. Michael’s grandchild asked him if he knew Batman, to which he proudly replied that the superhero was his friend.
Even in their old age, Michael and his wife remain a strong, loving couple. They have stood by each other’s side through thick and thin and immensely enjoy each other’s company. Michael has expressed that although people can have their flaws, Shakira is a remarkable exception.
In his eyes, she is the only person he has ever met who doesn’t have a bad side, and he wholeheartedly appreciates every aspect of her character. The couple’s enduring love is a testament to their long-lasting marriage.
