As Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith celebrate a huge milestone 'barefoot in the sand', the Mirror takes a look back over their love story, which is straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster11:57, 04 Aug 2026Pierce Brosnan and wife Keely Shaye Smith at Black Adam premierIt's been a quarter of a century since their fairytale wedding day, and Pierce Brosnan still can't take his eyes off Keely Shaye Smith.‌While leading man Pierce, 73, continues to leave cinema goers swooning in the aisles, there's only one woman who leaves him 'weak' at the knees - his 'beautiful brown-eyed girl', Keely.‌The couple have weathered many highs and lows together, nursing devastating heartbreaks behind their glamorous red carpet appearances, and taking great pleasure in the joys of growing old together.‌Now, the still-smitten pair will reportedly be reflecting on their 25 years together at their y romantic hideaway in Kauai, Hawaii, with Pierce set to pull out all the stops to spoil his beloved wife.A source told Closer: "Pierce is incredibly romantic. He always gives her beautiful cards that he's hand-painted himself, and he's fantastic at picking out gifts. She loves vintage jewellery, so no doubt he will be spoiling her with something one-of-a-kind."‌Revealing that Pierce and Keely, 62, "usually celebrate all their special milestones at their place in Kauai," the source also hinted that something particularly meaningful could be on the cards this year.They continued: "They've talked about having some sort of vow renewal ceremony to celebrate, but if they do go ahead with that plan, it will be very low-key, probably something at home where they can be barefoot in the sand."As the stars raise a glass to their milestone anniversary, the Mirror takes a look back at their incredible love story so far.‌Romantic first meetingIn 1991, Pierce lost his first wife, the Australian actress Cassandra Harris, to ovarian cancer. She was just 43 years old at the time of her passing and left behind their three children, Charlotte, Christopher, and Sean. This was a dark time for Pierce, who'd loved his first wife dearly, but in 1994, he found love again.‌Pierce and Keely first locked eyes in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in 1994, where then-TV correspondent Keely had been sent to interview Cheers icon Ted Danson. The pair crossed paths at a party, and sparks soon flew. Remembering her first impression of Pierce during a 2001 interview with People magazine, lovestruck Keely revealed: "He was captivating. Tall, dark and handsome–everything that everybody would immediately be attracted to. He had this mischievous sparkle in his eyes. I thought, 'Wow! Wow!'"A few days later, theu had their first-ever date - holding hands under the stars just as though they were in their very own Hollywood movie. Keely remembered: "We sat down under the stars and he held my hand. There were fireworks going off over our heads, and Kenny Loggins was singing. We talked until three in the morning. I understand why women find him sexy because he is an appealing man. He really likes and appreciates women."Pierce was, of course, equally bowled over by Keely. In a 2018 interview with Closer, Pierce admitted he still felt 'weak' around his strong wife, divulging: "I had a great marriage which sadly had its own ending, and I was lucky enough to find love again. We were meant to find each other. I thank God for her every day. When Keely looks at me, I go weak. I love her vitality, her passion. She has this strength that I wouldn't be able to live without."‌He added: "I'm one of those guys who believes you need a strong woman in your life. I found a great woman in Keely. Not if I searched a million times over would I find one as good."ParenthoodIn 1997, Pierce and Keely welcomed their first child together, a son named Dylan, followed by another son, Paris, in 2001. Making time for his children is especially important for Pierce, whose own father left the family home when he was very young.‌Speaking openly with the Gentleman's Journal in 2021, Pierce shared: "I cherish family very much. I cherish being a father. I did not grow up with a father figure or with a solid family. There was a deep fracture, a certain isolation and an aloneness which wielded the wonderful power of my imagination. I had to get by on my own sensing and intuition. So I value and love the family."Fairytale weddingThe lovebirds said 'I do' at the majestic Ballintubber Abbey in Ireland's County Mayo in 2001, and 25 years down the line, they are every bit as smitten. Over the years, the couple have previously marked their all-important anniversary with gushing social media posts, leaving fans swooning‌In celebration of their 23rd anniversary, James Bond icon Pierce wrote: "Happy 23rd anniversary, my darling Keely. My beautiful brown-eyed girl, my north, my south, my east and west. All my love, should I fall behind, wait for me."That same year, Keely too penned an adoring tribute to her hubby, alongside some gorgeous wedding snaps, writing: "You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest person I have ever known."Happy Anniversary, my love @piercebrosnanofficial. Here's to the next 23 years together. May they continue to be creative, adventurous, loving, inspiring, and joyful. Time flies on love's wings."‌Secret to happinessPierce has previously shared his joy at 'growing old' side by side with his beloved Keely, while sharing the secret to their happy marriage. In December 2023, Pierce told Fox News, "We like each other a lot. We love each other a lot. And we've been down the road, and we've seen many, many hardships as families do, as we all do."‌He continued: "But watching someone grow up with you and grow old with you is a very spiritual journey. To watch each other change … whatever it may be, the hair, the waist. But it's the love in the heart."On Father's Day this year, Keely offered a sweet insight into their happy family life, writing on Instagram: "Happy Father's Day, my love and Happy Father’s Day to all fathers who give their hearts and souls to their families and children."Strength during tragedy‌In June 2013, Pierce suffered yet another terrible tragedy after losing his daughter Charlotte to ovarian cancer - the same illness that killed her mother. Mum-of-two Charlotte was only 41 years old when she passed away, just two years younger than Cassandra had been. The painful parallels of these incalculable losses were not lost on bereaved dad Pierce.Opening up about Charlotte and Cassandra's deaths during a 2014 Stand Up To Cancer telethon, Pierce reflected: "To watch someone you love have his or her life eaten away bit by bit by this insidious disease, that kind of sorrow becomes an indelible part of your psyche."I held the generous, strong, beautiful hand of my first wife, Cassie, as ovarian cancer took her life much too soon. And just last year, I held the hand of my funny, wonderful daughter Charlotte before she too died from this wretched, inherited disease."Article continues belowThrough his intense grief, caring wife Keely has been there for Pierce every step of the way, and he credits her with helping to mend his broken heart. Shedding some light on Keely's healing influence in a 2013 interview with the Mail Online, Pierce shared: "Keely has always been kind and compassionate and encouraged me to mourn Cassie. [...] I've always been a positive thinker. I suppose Keely is my North Star, always looking out for me."Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com. Join The Mirror's WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News , TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , X , Facebook , YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage .