Ursula Andress is a Swiss film and television actress, former model, and international sex symbol who gained fame through her work in American, British, and Italian cinema. She is best known for her iconic role as Bond girl Honey Ryder in the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962).
Ursula Andress was born on March 19, 1936, in Ostermundigen, in the Swiss canton of Bern. She was one of six children raised in a strict German Protestant household. Driven by a desire to explore life beyond her conservative upbringing, Andress left Switzerland as a teenager to pursue greater independence. At 17, she fled from her boarding school, briefly drawing the attention of international authorities before settling in Italy.
While in Rome, Andress supported herself as an art model. Her striking looks soon opened doors to the film industry, marking the beginning of her acting career.
Andress rose to international stardom in 1962 with her role as Honey Ryder in Dr. No, the first film in the James Bond franchise. Her emergence from the sea in a white bikini became one of the most memorable and iconic moments in cinematic history, solidifying her status as a global sex symbol and launching her into fame.
She later starred in the 1967 spoof version of Casino Royale, where she portrayed the character Vesper Lynd, further linking her image to the Bond legacy. Although not part of the official Eon Productions series, the film contributed to her ongoing association with the franchise.
Following her Bond success, Andress maintained a steady presence in international cinema throughout the 1960s and 1970s. She appeared in a variety of films, including Fun in Acapulco (1963) alongside Elvis Presley, The Blue Max (1966), and The 10th Victim (1965). Her fluency in multiple languages and European cosmopolitanism allowed her to traverse American, British, and Italian film industries with ease.
At 19, Andress met American actor and director John Derek while living in Hollywood. At the time, Derek was married to actress Pati Behrs and had two children. Despite a language barrier—Andress spoke little English at the time—the two developed a relationship. Derek eventually divorced his wife, and he and Andress married in 1957. During their marriage, Andress took a hiatus from her acting career. They separated in 1964 and later divorced in 1966.
Andress later had relationships with several high-profile figures in the entertainment industry and had one child, a son named Dimitri, with actor Harry Hamlin.
| Birth Date: | 19 Mar, 1936 |
| Age: | 84 yrs |
| Occupations: | Actor Screenwriter Model Film actor |
| Citizenship: | Switzerland |
| Birth Place: | Ostermundigen |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | Swiss-American actress and sex symbol of the 1960s |
| Spouse: | John Derek[1957-1966] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 25 million |
