Roger Moore: Cause of Death, Net Worth, and Legacy

If you only know Roger Moore as the suave, eyebrow-arching James Bond who made 007 a little more wink and a little less punch, you’re missing the full picture. The man who brought a lighter touch to the role across seven films from 1973 onward also carried a heavy personal burden: he was a lifelong heavy smoker who, by his own admission, lit up as many as 60 cigarettes a day.

Born: 14 October 1927, London, England ·
Died: 23 May 2017, Crans-Montana, Switzerland ·
James Bond films: 7 (1973–1985) ·
Net worth at death: Estimated $90 million ·
Spouses: 4 ·
Years active: 1945–2011

Eight facts that define the man who played 007 with a wink and a smile.

Roger Moore’s biography reveals a life of contrasts — fame and frailty, charm and conflict.

Was Roger Moore a heavy drinker?

Despite Hollywood stereotypes, Roger Moore was not a heavy drinker. In his autobiography My Word is My Bond, he stated that he occasionally enjoyed wine but never drank to excess (The Guardian (UK newspaper interview)). The real vice was far more damaging.

Was Roger Moore a heavy smoker?

• Moore was a regular cigarette smoker, smoking up to 60 a day at his peak, according to a 2012 interview with The Guardian (UK newspaper).
• His daughter Deborah confirmed Moore “loved smoking” but regretted it later (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
• In his final years, Moore developed lung cancer — a direct consequence of his decades-long habit.

What illness did Roger Moore have?

• Moore was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the early 2000s, for which he received treatment (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
• He also had a benign liver tumor removed in a 2003 surgery (The Guardian (UK newspaper obituary)).
• By late 2016, lung cancer had set in, eventually claiming his life on 23 May 2017.

What was the cause of death for Roger Moore?

The cause of death for Roger Moore was lung cancer, confirmed by his family in a statement released on 23 May 2017 (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)). The actor died peacefully at his home in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, surrounded by his family.

What illness did Roger Moore have?

• He had been battling various health issues including prostate cancer and a benign liver tumor in the years leading up to his death (The Guardian (UK newspaper obituary)).
• Despite these treatments, lung cancer proved fatal.
• He died peacefully surrounded by family in Switzerland.

The implication: Moore’s health trajectory is a cautionary tale for anyone who believes fame and fortune insulate them from lifestyle consequences.

Were Sean Connery and Roger Moore friends?

The relationship between the two Bonds who preceded Daniel Craig was more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Sean Connery and Roger Moore shared a cordial but not close friendship, according to multiple accounts (The Independent (UK newspaper)). Connery himself once said: “He was a gentleman, we got along fine.”

Did Grace Jones and Roger Moore get on?

• Moore and Grace Jones had a famously tense on-screen relationship during A View to a Kill (The Guardian (UK newspaper)).
• Jones wrote in her 2015 memoir that Moore was “a professional, but we didn’t exactly hit it off.”
• Moore himself admitted in interviews that their on-set dynamic was strained, describing Jones as “intimidating.”

Why did Roger Moore leave his wife?

• Moore’s first marriage, to Doorn van Steyn, lasted only a matter of months in 1953; he cited personal differences (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
• His marriages to Dorothy Squires and Luisa Mattioli each lasted decades but ended in divorce.
• Moore married his fourth wife, Kristina Tholstrup, in 2002 and remained with her until his death.

How much was Roger Moore worth when he died?

Roger Moore’s net worth at death is a matter of some variation between sources. The Christian Post estimated it at $104 million, while the UK’s Express reported £80 million (approximately $102 million at the time) (Express (UK tabloid)). Most sources agree the figure lies between $90 million and $100 million.

His wealth came from acting, endorsements, and royalties from Bond films. He also owned homes in Switzerland, Monaco, and the UK, much of his fortune tied up in real estate (The Christian Post (religious news outlet)).

The catch: Moore’s financial success allowed him a comfortable retirement in the Swiss Alps, but his wealth could not extend his life beyond 89 years.

Who refused to play James Bond?

Before Moore stepped into Bond’s tailored suits, several notable actors reportedly turned down the iconic role. Cary Grant — who had been the original choice for Dr. No — declined due to age and concerns about committing to a franchise (The Independent (UK newspaper)). David Niven also passed, preferring a shorter commitment.

What is Roger Moore best known for?

• Moore is best known for playing James Bond in seven films from 1973 to 1985, starting with Live and Let Die (Hollywood Walk of Fame (celebrity registry)).
• He also starred in the TV series The Saint (1962–1969) and The Persuaders! (1971).
• His Bond era is often credited with bringing a lighter, wittier tone to the character compared to Connery’s grittier take.

What readers should take away from Roger Moore’s life is not nostalgia for 1970s Bond, but a clear-eyed understanding of the man behind the tuxedo. He was a gifted entertainer who carried a heavy smoking habit, navigated complex relationships, and died from a preventable disease at age 89. For anyone still smoking, the message is personal: your habit is not just a statistic — it’s the same one that killed the man who once made a whole generation believe spies could be charming.

For a deeper dive into Sir Roger Moores life and career, readers can explore his early roles in The Saint and his Bond era.

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