Sean Connery Ex-Wife: Meet Diane Cilento

Sir Sean Connery, the legendary actor best known for his role as James Bond, was married to Australian actress Diane Cilento from 1962 to 1974. Their marriage, which spanned over a decade, was marked by both professional collaboration and personal turmoil, ultimately leaving a lasting impact on both their lives.

Diane Cilento, a talented actress in her own right, first met Connery in the early 1960s, and the two quickly became one of the most glamorous couples in Hollywood. They tied the knot in 1962 and welcomed a son, Jason Joseph Connery, who would later follow in his parents’ footsteps to become an actor.

During their marriage, Connery and Cilento worked together on various projects. One notable collaboration was when Connery illustrated the cover of Cilento’s 1967 novel, The Manipulator. Despite their professional synergy, their relationship was fraught with difficulties.

By the early 1970s, the couple had separated, and Connery began dating several high-profile women, including Dyan Cannon, Jill St. John, Lana Wood, Carole Mallory, and Magda Konopka. Their separation became permanent in 1971, and the divorce was finalized in 1974.

In her 2006 autobiography, Diane Cilento made shocking allegations against Connery, accusing him of mental and physical abuse during their marriage. These allegations cast a dark shadow over Connery’s public image, especially as they came in the wake of controversial statements he allegedly made about domestic violence.

In 1965, Connery was quoted in Playboy magazine as saying, “I don’t think there is anything particularly wrong in hitting a woman, though I don’t recommend you do it in the same way you hit a man.” These comments were later brought back into the spotlight in a 1993 interview with Vanity Fair, where he reportedly stated, “There are women who take it to the wire. That’s what they are looking for, the ultimate confrontation. They want a smack.”