Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shaye Smith are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, a milestone that marks a quarter-century of a love story that has weathered tragedy and joy. The couple, who married in 2001, are reportedly planning a low-key celebration at their home in Kauai, Hawaii, where they can be 'barefoot in the sand'.
A Love That Began in Mexico
Their romance began in 1994 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where Keely, then a TV correspondent, was on assignment. Sparks flew at a party, and Keely later recalled her first impression of Pierce: '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!'
Their first date was straight out of a movie, as 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.'
Building a Family
The couple welcomed two sons, Dylan in 1997 and Paris in 2001. Pierce, who grew up without a father, has spoken about the importance of family, saying, 'I cherish family very much. I cherish being a father. I did not grow up with a father figure or with a solid family.'
A Fairytale Wedding
They married at Ballintubber Abbey in County Mayo, Ireland, in 2001. Over the years, they have marked their anniversaries with heartfelt social media posts. On their 23rd anniversary, Pierce wrote, 'Happy 23rd anniversary, my darling Keely. My beautiful brown-eyed girl, my north, my south, my east and west.'
The Secret to Their Happiness
Pierce has shared the secret to their lasting marriage, telling Fox News in December 2023, '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.' He added, 'Watching someone grow up with you and grow old with you is a very spiritual journey.'
Strength Through Tragedy
The couple has faced profound loss, including the death of Pierce's first wife, Cassandra Harris, and later his daughter Charlotte, both to ovarian cancer. Keely has been a source of strength, and Pierce has credited her with helping him heal, saying, 'Keely is my North Star, always looking out for me.'
