Woman’s Day February 7, 2005

AT HOME WITH Sean Connery

At 74, Sir Sean is still as sexy, stroppy and outspoken as ever

Sean Connery is happiest far away from Hollywood. He and Micheline, his wife of almost 30 years, divide their time between their home in the Bahamas and their cosy New York City apartment.

            Last November, Sean –who is officially a 'Sir' following his knighthood in 2000 -quit the set of the film he was working on, despite a US$18million (A$23.5million) salary.

            But despite this stroppy streak, the trappings of his fame are never too far away. In December last year he travelled to Morocco where he received the country's highest honour, the Order of Ouissam Alaouite.

            For now, at least, it seems that the most famous Scotsman in the world has a different focus: the writing of his memoirs.

            This creative endeavour brings him in line with his talented wife. On the walls of his New York apartment hang a number of works by Micheline. A renowned painter, she is preparing for an exhibition in Paris while Sean is working hard on his autobiography.

You received a knighthood from the Queen, and the King of Morocco bestowed his country's greatest honour on you. Are you collapsing under the weight of all these honours?

[Laughs.] I am extremely touched, particularly since I have always had a soft spot for Morocco, partly because that's where I filmed The Man Who Would Be King and also because that's where I first met Micheline almost 35 years ago. Those who know me know that I never actively seek out these honours and I don't even want to think what will happen after I'm dead.

You give the impression that fame and celebrity don't faze you at all.

The very first time I met Robert Mitchum, he said to me, "Sean, I beg you, don't take any of this rubbish seriously, it comes and goes like the wind." I swear I've never really understood all the activity that goes on around me. I'm often stunned that people are so intimidated by my presence. In fact, it makes me feel ill at ease sometimes and I don't really know why. Micheline has a much bigger ego than me, perhaps it's because she's French and, as you know, you can't argue with the French! [Laughs.] I'm aware that I have had an extraordinary life, especially since I don't have any qualifications. However, despite all the things that I'm so lucky to have, I never forget where I came from and that's what keeps me sane.

Do you believe in fate?

I've never believed in it. I was educated in the school of life. Everything that I've lived through has made me the man I am today. I came from so low that the only way was up. My life is a mixture of chance and luck. I was nine years old when the war broke out and we were living in poverty in Edinburgh. There were no luxuries. I started working at the age of 12 and left school when I was 13. I have hardly had any education at all. I did everything myself, which may explain why I always feel like a little boy when I'm with intellectuals!

You've always said you would never write your memoirs for fear of hurting people who were still alive. What made you change your mind?

I recently discovered that there were 10 books written about me. I got my hands on one of them and I was amazed by how inaccurate it was - it was just a web of lies. I was so angry.  I called my lawyer to see if we could do anything about it but he said the best way to get back at the people writing these lies would be to publish the truth and write it myself.

You claim not to be an introspective person. Is this going to be a long and difficult project?

If it wasn't for my films, I could disappear tomorrow and nobody would be any the wiser.  I don't make notes or keep a journal. I don't keep press clippings or pictures of myself, but fortunately what I do have is a good memory. That said, I may be able to remember precise details of certain events that happened long ago but I'm terrible at remembering dates, so the chronology gets mixed up. I never remember the date of our anniversary or my wife's birthday: it's a big flaw of mine.

Is there anything people will be surprised to read?

It'll probably be me who will be most surprised at the end of the book. I hadn't realised that the simple fact that my mother never really kissed or hugged me when I was a child would have so many repercussions in my life. That explains a lot of things, don't you think? [Laughs.] I know people will be expecting me to reveal lots of torrid details about love affairs and the names of women who have been part of my life. I will never reveal those secrets; I'll take them to my grave.

Like all couples, you and Micheline have had tough times, but you've been together for 30 years.  What's your secret?

Micheline and I have backgrounds which are so different from each other, but deep down we are very alike. I have a huge admiration for my wife because she is far more intelligent than I am and she is such a talented painter.  I keep telling her that she should sell her paintings, but she is completely against it. She's as stubborn as a mule and always does things her way. This has always bugged me, but it's also something I love about her. Micheline is full of life and happiness. Whenever I see problems, she sees solutions.

You recently quit a film where you were being paid $18 million dollars...

Thanks to my work, I have enough money to be able to do exactly what I want without making any concessions.  If a project pleases me, I throw myself into it heart and soul, which was the case with this film. Then one day you realize all is not as it seems. Without going into too many details, I decided which direction to take.

Is it true that you decided to abandon acting altogether?

Who told you that? It's true that I could wake up one day and decide to give it all up, but that day has yet to come.

Do you think you can really live without acting?

Yes, very well. I love my life in the Bahamas. I read, I play golf, I swim in my pool, I watch the sunbathers. What more could anyone want? When my dad died I couldn't film for two years. Then I had radiotherapy for a throat problem and I realised that I didn't want to lose all that I'd worked for. However, if I found myself tomorrow in a little studio apartment, it wouldn't bother me. I don't have luxurious tastes or needs. Off the subject, can you explain to me where a woman's obsession with buying shoes comes from? I was given several pairs on a film years ago and I still wear them today.

What's the best advice that you've ever been given?

No-one has ever really given me advice. I am fascinated when I see young people having proper conversations with their parents. From the moment I left the navy, I didn't have anywhere to go. I had to rely on myself. I don't think it's done me much harm.

What is your motto in life?

Treat people the way you would like to be treated yourself.

You are 74. Do you know anything now you didn't know when you were 30?

I knew everything I needed to know about life at the age of 13.

Story: Dany Jucaud.