The beloved star, once named one of the “Sexiest Stars of the Century,” grew up during wartime. Still, she described her childhood as “unique.” See how she’s changed over the years in these before-and-after photos.
The Hollywood icon was born in March 1936 in a suburb of Berne, Switzerland, to German parents. Her mother made a living as a professional gardener, while her father, a diplomat, mysteriously disappeared during World War II, never to be found again.
One of six children, the actress spent her early years in Berne. After her father’s expulsion from Switzerland for political reasons, her grandfather, a garden designer, took on the role of guardian.
Looking back on that time, she described her upbringing as “incredibly unique, almost like the 17th-century.” Under her grandfather’s strict guidance, the celebrity lived in a large house with a nursery and took on demanding chores.
Long hours in the greenhouses and tending to the furnaces instilled discipline and respect — lessons that, she believes, prepared her to face any challenge in life. The structure of her upbringing shaped lifelong values, and she also has fond memories of her early years.
Life in Switzerland offered the opportunity to learn multiple languages, and like many of her peers, the star became fluent in French, German, and Italian. English was not part of her focus then, as she never anticipated needing it.
Acting was also never part of her plans. Without a clear direction, she let life unfold, spending time in Paris studying art before moving to Rome in search of new opportunities.
To support herself, she worked as a nanny and took on small jobs. A chance meeting at a party with a film producer led to a screen test and a minor role, marking the beginning of her career.
After a few more films, a Hollywood producer encouraged her to move to the U.S., assuring her it would benefit her future. Despite barely speaking English, she took a leap of faith and made the journey.
While Hollywood opened doors for her, the studio system came with strict expectations. At 18, the star signed with Paramount, entering a demanding program that included lessons in English, diction, etiquette, and acting.
After a year, the studio abandoned its efforts, and she chose to end the contract on her own terms. The decision brought a sense of relief, as she values independence over financial gain.
For the Swiss native and former model, money brings comfort but should never come at the cost of personal freedom.
“I was lucky to earn money easily, but I invested it carefully and now I’m happy I did because then I had the responsibility of raising my child as a single mother,” the public figure said in an interview once. She welcomed her son, Dimitri Hamlin, with her second husband, actor Harry Hamlin, and he remains the center of her world.
True to her self-sufficient nature, the celebrity handled all her own investments without professional guidance, choosing to diversify across gold, select stocks, and real estate.
She admitted that managing her finances alone might have resulted in smaller returns, but at least she always knew exactly where she stood. While her stocks thrived for a time, the market’s volatility eventually took a toll, and one of her best-performing investments, WorldCom, ultimately turned into a major loss.
While financial independence is important to her, it is her groundbreaking career that has made a lasting mark. In 1962, “Dr. No” launched her into stardom, introducing audiences to a new kind of leading lady. She portrayed Honey Ryder, the first Bond girl.
Happy 89th Birthday to Ursula Andress
Video | Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder and Sean Connery as James Bond @007 in a scene from Dr. No (1962). pic.twitter.com/QPefE4U37F
— Hollywood Golden Age of Cinema (@HGACinema) March 19, 2025
At a time when Hollywood often portrayed women as delicate and obedient, she brought something entirely different to the screen — strength, confidence, and undeniable allure. Long before the sexual revolution reshaped societal norms, she helped shift perceptions, proving that a woman could be both powerful and desirable.
Celebrating the birthday of the ethereal Miss Ursula Andress, born March 19, 1936………… pic.twitter.com/2H8ObVvzLM
— Noirchick In Old Hollywood (@Noirchick1) March 19, 2025
Her role in “Dr. No” not only redefined the Hollywood heroine but also secured her place in film history. Years later, the star’s influence remained undeniable.
Happy 89th birthday, Ursula Andress! pic.twitter.com/QEv5aX4wok
— DepressedBergman (@DannyDrinksWine) March 19, 2025
Honored with Maxim’s Icon Award and ranked 19th on Playboy’s list of the “100 Sexiest Stars of the Century,” she became a lasting symbol of beauty and strength. The image of her stepping from the sea to meet James Bond (Sean Connery) remains one of cinema’s most iconic moments.
Un día como hoy de 1936: nació Ursula Andress. pic.twitter.com/QyZnUoFoNk
— 𝔸𝕟𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕒 𝔸𝕔𝕠𝕤𝕥𝕒 (@AndreaAcostArts) March 19, 2025
Emerging from the water with a shell in hand, the film actress asked Bond, “What are you doing here? Are you looking for shells?” His reply was simple but revealing: “No, just looking.”
Emerging from the sea and into our hearts! 🌊❤️
Happy birthday to the iconic actress and original Bond Girl,
Ursula Andress 🎉 , a true Hollywood legend 🥂 pic.twitter.com/ZGxO7HQk2g
— Muse (@xmuse_) March 19, 2025
The movie star later admitted feeling nervous on set, unfamiliar with Kingston, and unsure of what to expect. Her first encounter with Connery took place over breakfast at their hotel, where she found herself too timid to approach him. That hesitation faded as filming progressed, and she grew to appreciate his kindness and support.
Speaking about Connery, who died in 2020, in an interview, the actress described the actor as “adorable, fantastic,” and someone who truly appreciated women. When she agreed to the role, she had no idea the film would reach such heights.
Expecting little attention, she saw it as just another project. Instead, it became a massive success, fueled by the undeniable chemistry she shared with her co-star. The unexpected success of “Dr. No” not only elevated her status in Hollywood but also turned her wardrobe choice into a legendary piece of film history.
Unhappy with the options provided on set, she designed and sewed the now-iconic bikini herself. Years later, she rediscovered it tucked away in her attic and decided to put it up for auction.
The final sale price reached over $53,000 — ten times what one of Madonna’s studded bras had fetched. Yet, for her, its real worth was not in the money but in the career that followed, proving that one role could change everything. However, while the world still saw her as a timeless beauty, privately, she faced a battle that threatened her independence.
At 72, actress Ursula Andress maintained her elegant appearance and stayed active, enjoying skiing, swimming, and long walks. Yet, for the past several years, she had been silently dealing with osteoporosis — a condition she initially dismissed.
She ignored the warnings, unaware of the long-term consequences. It wasn’t until doctors revealed that her hips had become so fragile they could break easily that the reality of her condition truly set in, leaving her stunned by the diagnosis.
The diagnosis forced the former model to confront an unsettling reality. “I don’t want to become a crippled old lady, bent double, who can only shuffle along. There would be no point for me,” she admitted, speaking about her condition for the first time in an interview.
Losing mobility was unthinkable. An active lifestyle had always been essential to her, and the idea of being unable to move freely felt like the end of everything she knew.
Her doctor stressed the urgency of medication, warning that without it, she risked losing the independence she cherished. What shocked Andress most was the silent nature of the disease — no pain, no warning, just bones weakening like glass beneath the surface.
Her diagnosis came as a shock, but she was not alone in underestimating the dangers of osteoporosis. In many cases, fractures can be life-threatening, with one in five women who suffer a hip fracture due to the disease dying within six months.
The bigger issue is that countless women remain undiagnosed, and even those aware of their condition often neglect treatment — something Andress had done herself. When doctors first identified the disease during a routine health check eight years earlier, she had no idea how severe it could become.
When tests showed early bone weakening, Andress dismissed the diagnosis. She stayed active, ate well, and had no major risk factors, making osteoporosis seem unlikely.
Despite being prescribed daily medication and calcium, she struggled to follow through. A lifelong aversion to pills led her to skip doses, believing exercise and diet would be enough. Eventually, she stopped treatment altogether, unaware of the danger she was placing herself in.
By early 2008, Andress underwent her first full medical exam since her diagnosis, and the results were alarming. A scan revealed significant bone deterioration, far worse than she had expected. Doctors warned that without treatment, a hip fracture was inevitable within a few years. Even a minor stumble could be enough to cause serious damage.
The reality of her condition hit hard — she had always been in good health, and the thought of everyday movements putting her at risk was difficult to accept. Unlike a simple injury that could be patched up, this was irreversible, and the severity of it frightened her. It made her realize she could no longer ignore the condition and had to commit to the prescribed treatment.
Now 89, she remains a subject of admiration, even years after stepping out of the public eye. Her last public appearance was in 2017, yet fans continue to celebrate her enduring allure.
Online, many praise her graceful aging, with one admirer calling her a “knockout” and another applauding, “She looks great at her age! Bravo!” Others simply recognize her lasting impact, describing her as “a true Hollywood legend.”
From a breakout role that redefined Hollywood’s leading ladies to a private battle with osteoporosis, Ursula Andress has lived a life of strength and independence. Even as she steps away from the spotlight, her legacy as a film icon and a symbol of grace endures.
