Roger Moore: Death, Net Worth, and Marriages

It’s hard to imagine anyone else slipping into a tuxedo with quite the same effortless charm, but Sir Roger Moore was never just the man in the suit. Behind the raised eyebrow and the dry one-liners was a life full of surprising contradictions — a Bond who didn’t drink heavily, a smoker who quit cold turkey, and a star whose net worth remained a matter of debate until the very end. This article pulls together the key facts about his death, health habits, fortune, and marriages to separate myth from reality.

Born: 14 October 1927 ·
Died: 23 May 2017 (age 89) ·
James Bond films: 7 ·
Net worth at death: Estimated $100 million ·
Cause of death: Cancer

Eight key details about Roger Moore’s life, from his birth through his four marriages:

What was the cause of death for Roger Moore?

Official statement on his passing

Sir Roger Moore died on 23 May 2017 at his home in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, at the age of 89. His family released a statement through his official Twitter account announcing that he had passed away after “a short but brave battle with cancer” (The Christian Post). The Mirror (British tabloid) confirmed the same details and added that he was buried in Monaco Cemetery.

His battle with cancer

Moore had been diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1993 and was successfully treated at the time (The Richest). According to Wikipedia, the cancers that ultimately killed him were of the lung and liver. He also lived with type 2 diabetes, a condition that influenced his later diet and lifestyle choices (Diabetes.co.uk).

The implication: even a long-lived star like Moore could not escape the cumulative toll of decades of habits and genetics.

Was Roger Moore a heavy drinker?

Moore’s own words on alcohol

In his memoir My Word is My Bond, Moore described himself as a social drinker who enjoyed wine and cocktails but never drank to excess. He wrote that he “never had more than two glasses of wine with dinner” (The Mirror). In a 2016 interview, he joked that his Bond persona required him to hold a martini, but “it was usually ginger ale” (YouTube interview).

Reports from colleagues and biographers

Colleagues often remarked on Moore’s moderate habits. The Mirror (British tabloid) reported that in later years Moore “swapped alcohol, smoking, sun-bathing, promiscuity, and stunts for a simpler life.” There is no credible evidence that he was a heavy drinker by any standard.

The catch: even his closest colleagues saw him as a man who chose moderation long before health forced it.

Was Roger Moore a heavy smoker?

Smoking in his Bond roles

Moore’s James Bond occasionally smoked on screen — in Live and Let Die he lights a cigarette in one scene — but this was a character choice, not a reflection of his personal habits.

Personal smoking habits

Moore was a smoker earlier in his life, but he quit in his sixties after a frightening experience. The Mirror (British tabloid) reported that Moore gave up cigars after coughing up blood following six hours of chain-smoking. He was not known as a heavy smoker in his later decades.

What this means: Moore’s smoking was a brief chapter, not a lifelong identity.

How much was Roger Moore worth when he died?

Sources of income

Moore earned his fortune primarily through acting, especially the seven James Bond films, as well as television roles (e.g., The Saint, The Persuaders!), endorsements, and real estate investments. He also served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador without pay.

Estimated net worth

Estimates vary. The Christian Post put his net worth at $104 million at the time of his death. The Richest estimated $110 million, while The Express (British daily) reported the equivalent of roughly $110 million (converted from £89 million). A separate analysis from the University of Missouri suggested a broader range of $100–$150 million.

Three net-worth estimates from reputable sources, one pattern: no single figure has been officially confirmed, but all point to a nine-figure estate.

The pattern: though the exact number is disputed, Moore’s wealth was always comfortably nine digits.

Why did Roger Moore leave his third wife?

Marriage to Luisa Mattioli

Moore married Italian actress Luisa Mattioli in 1969. The couple had three children: Deborah, Geoffrey, and Christian. They lived primarily in Monaco and Switzerland. The marriage lasted 30 years, though the couple separated in 1993.

Reasons for separation

According to Wikipedia, Moore and Mattioli divorced in 1996 citing irreconcilable differences. Neither party offered public details beyond that. Moore later married Kristina Tholstrup in 2002, and they remained together until his death. The lack of deeper explanation has fueled speculation, but no reliable source has ever confirmed additional reasons.

The implication: even a star as open as Moore drew a firm line around his personal life.

Quotes from the people who knew him

“He died after a short but brave battle with cancer.”

— Family statement, via The Christian Post

“Moore swapped alcohol, smoking, sun-bathing, promiscuity, and stunts for a simpler life.”

— The Mirror (British tabloid) obituary

For anyone curious about the real Roger Moore, the contrast between his suave on-screen persona and his modest off-screen habits is the most revealing story of all. He was a gentleman off-camera as much as on, and his legacy — both as Bond and as a human being — is richer for it. For fans and biographers alike, the lesson is clear: the man behind the tuxedo was far more interesting than any script could capture.

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