Britt Ekland: Biography, Bond Role, Rod Stewart, Net Worth

Few actors carry a film moment as instantly recognizable as Britt Ekland’s turn as Mary Goodnight in The Man with the Golden Gun. But the Swedish actress’s life stretches far beyond Bond—through 1970s cinema, a high-profile marriage to Rod Stewart, and a quiet reinvention as a charity patron.

Born: October 6, 1942 · Nationality: Swedish · Known for: Bond girl in The Man with the Golden Gun · Spouse: Rod Stewart (1975–1977) · Children: 1 (Sean Stewart) · Instagram followers: 53K+

Ten key facts, one takeaway: Britt Ekland built a career that outlasted a single blockbuster role.

What is Britt Ekland famous for?

Her early life and Swedish roots

Britt Ekland was born Britt-Marie Eklund on October 6, 1942, in Stockholm, Sweden (Wikipedia). She studied at a drama school and began her career in Swedish films before moving into international productions (IMDb biography).

Rise to fame in the 1960s

Ekland’s early breakthrough came in 1968 with a starring role in The Night They Raided Minsky’s, followed by a part in the crime classic Get Carter (1971) alongside Michael Caine (TV Insider). These roles showcased her range and set the stage for international recognition. Her career parallels that of another European star, Dirk Bogarde, who also transitioned from British cinema to international fame.

Iconic Bond girl role

Her most famous performance is as Mary Goodnight, a fellow MI6 agent, in the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun (TV Insider). The role made her a household name and remains her most cited credit decades later.

The implication: while the Bond role defined her public image, Ekland’s subsequent career moves show she was not content to be remembered solely as a Bond girl.

How many Bond movies was Britt Ekland in?

The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Ekland appeared in exactly one official James Bond film: The Man with the Golden Gun (TV Insider). She played Mary Goodnight, Bond’s assistant and occasional romantic interest.

Her character Mary Goodnight

Goodnight is an MI6 agent who supports Bond during his mission to stop the assassin Scaramanga. The role is notable for its comedic elements and Ekland’s natural chemistry with Roger Moore (IMDb).

Other Bond franchise appearances

Ekland has no other cast roles in the Bond franchise. She is sometimes grouped with other Bond girls in retrospectives, but her filmography does not include any additional 007 entries (IMDb).

The pattern: a single iconic performance can define a career, but Ekland’s longevity proves the role was a launchpad, not a ceiling.

What happened between Britt Ekland and Rod Stewart?

Meeting and marriage

Rod Stewart met Britt Ekland backstage after a concert at the Los Angeles Forum on March 5, 1975 (Songfacts Calendar). They married later that year and had one son, Sean Stewart (Fox News).

Relationship timeline

• 1975: Marriage and birth of son Sean
• 1977: Divorce finalized
• Aftermath: Both moved on; Stewart married Penny Lancaster in 2007

Divorce and aftermath

Ekland later claimed that Stewart made her pay rent while they lived together and that he borrowed her knickers (Fox News). Stewart addressed the marriage briefly in his memoir, but the relationship remains a subject of tabloid fascination. The rock star Bryan Ferry, a contemporary of Stewart, also experienced a high-profile celebrity marriage that overshadowed his artistic work.

What this means: Ekland has turned the notoriety of a brief marriage into a platform for charity work, using public interest to support causes she cares about.

Where does Britt Ekland live now?

Current residence in the UK

Ekland has been a long-term resident of the United Kingdom, primarily living in London (TV Insider). Social media posts and public appearances confirm her base is in the UK.

Connection to Sweden

She maintains ties to her native Sweden, visiting occasionally for personal and professional reasons (IMDb biography). Her Swedish heritage remains an important part of her identity.

Reports from recent interviews

In a 2021 interview with RTÉ, Ekland discussed her life in the public gaze and her personal measure of success (RTÉ). The conversation painted a picture of a woman content with her choices and focused on philanthropy.

The trade-off: London offers privacy and proximity to arts charities, but her Swedish roots provide a quieter retreat when needed.

What is Britt Ekland doing today?

Philanthropy and charity work

Ekland is a patron of two charities: We Are Alex TLC (supporting families affected by a rare genetic condition) and the Alzheimer’s Society (Parade). Her charity work reflects a shift from screen fame to quiet impact.

Social media presence

She is active on Instagram under the handle @brittekland, where she has over 53,000 followers (Instagram). Her feed includes personal photos, selfies with her dog, and occasional throwbacks to her film days.

Recent public appearances

In 2021, she attended the Satzebrau Fashion Oscars in Dublin, showing that she still enjoys the spotlight (Parade). As of 2025, she is reported to be thriving and healthy at 83 (Parade).

The catch: despite the uncertainty around her finances, Ekland’s public focus on philanthropy suggests her priorities lie beyond material wealth.

Timeline: Britt Ekland’s life at a glance

• 1942 – Born Britt-Marie Eklund in Stockholm, Sweden (Wikipedia)
• 1960s – Begins acting career in Swedish and international films (IMDb)
• 1968 – Stars in The Night They Raided Minsky’s (IMDb)
• 1971 – Appears in Get Carter alongside Michael Caine (TV Insider)
• 1974 – Plays Mary Goodnight in The Man with the Golden Gun (TV Insider)
• 1975 – Marries Rod Stewart; son Sean born (Songfacts Calendar)
• 1977 – Divorces Rod Stewart (Fox News)
• 2021 – Public appearance at Satzebrau Fashion Oscars in Dublin (Parade)
• Present – Active on Instagram and patron of two charities (Parade)

Quotes from Britt Ekland and those around her

“He made me pay rent while we were living together.”

— Britt Ekland, speaking to Fox News

Ekland told Parade that she is thriving at 83, stating that the secret is staying active and keeping good friends (Parade).

The consequence: Ekland has turned the notoriety of a brief marriage into a platform for charity work. For a Swedish actress who could have been reduced to a single Bond memory, the choice to keep stepping into the public eye—on her own terms—has defined her later years. For fans curious about her legacy, the real story isn’t the knickers or the rent—it’s the endurance.

Frequently asked questions