Bond of brothers
Ill sibling’s birthday message to Sir Sean as film star celebrates 90th with family
The James Bond star held a celebration on Wednesday on the island in the Bahamas where he lives with his wife Micheline.
But it was tinged with sadness as brother Neil, 82, who lives in Edinburgh, was too ill to make the 4000-mile journey. Elinor Connery, Neil’s wife, said: “Turning 90 is cause for celebration.
Unfortunately, Neil hasn’t been well enough for us to go. He’s had respiratory problems.
“The party was on Wednesday. Neil knew his brother would be busy that day, so planned to speak to him the day after to hear how it all went and wish him a happy birthday.”
Micheline, Sean’s son Jason, who lives in the Borders, and grandd aught erSa ski a, who has a home close to her grandad on New Providence island, were among the family who celebrated the proud Scot’s landmark birthday.
Elinor added it was unlikely that Sean, who was born in Edinburgh’s Fountainbridge, would be able to make it to Scotland for another party.
She said: “He’s not travelling, so he’s not coming to Edinburgh for his birthday.”
Sean, who turns 90 on Tuesday, was last seen in fami ly pictures last year looking frail with wife of 45 years Micheline, who is 91. But his family said he remains well and still enjoys his beloved golf.
On ageing, the former 007 said: “More than anything else, I’d like to be an old man with a good face, like Hitchcock or Picasso.”
The actor, who starred in seven Bond movies between 1962 and 1983, was named the best- ever Bond in a recent Radio Times poll.
His final film was The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 17 years ago.
Sean, who won an Oscar for The Untouchables in 1988, previously said only Steven Spielberg would be able to tempt him to return to films.
But he added: “In the end, retirement is just too much fun.”