It’s safe to say that actor Michael Caine is unarguably one of the greatest in the movie industry. With a career that has spanned more than seven decades and prominent roles in blockbuster movies like The Ipcress File, Alfie, Little Voice, and a host of others.
The 90-year-old has since withdrawn from the spotlight, but makes occasional appearances with his wife, Shakira. Caine started his acting career as a stage manager before going on to play minor roles in TV series such as The Golden Girl and No Wreath for the General. He gained some popularity after he was cast as Meff in James Saunders’s comedy, Next Time I’ll Sing To You, which was performed at the Arts Theatre in London in 1963.
Michael Caine’s rise to fame
Caine’s brilliant performance in the play captivated the audience and by the time it was staged at the Criterion in Piccadilly, he was met backstage by Stanley Baker, who was one of the four actors in Caine’s first film, A Hill in Korea. Baker informed him about the role of a Cockney private in his upcoming film, Zulu.
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The actor decided to act on the news and went for a screen test with director Cy Endfield, but his performance didn’t go as well as he’d hoped. However, Baker vouched for him and Caine eventually got the role of Lieutenant Gonville, which brought him into the limelight.
Michael Caine’s relationships and marriages
Caine met first wife Patricia Haines, who was also an actress, at the lowest point in his career, and they tied the knot in 1955. The couple welcomed their only child, daughter Dominique, together. They separated in 1962. “I walked out of the marriage,” he once revealed. “The marriage breakdown was entirely my fault. I was too young and immature to take on the poverty and personal and professional failure.”
The Academy Award winner found love again when he saw second wife Shakira Caine, formerly Baksh, in a TV ad. He knew she was his soulmate even before meeting her. “My heart started pounding and my palms became sweaty. This girl is amazing, I want to meet her,” Caine revealed.
After detailed research, Caine got his hands on Shakira’s number and allegedly called 11 times in a row, asking for a meeting, which was refused every time until she eventually caved and decided to accept the invite. The two started a relationship and were married in 1973.
Caine revealed to Radio Times that it was love at first sight. “I fell in love with her in about eight minutes. It took her two hours to fall in love with me,” he said. “She saved my life, really.” The lovebirds have one daughter, Natasha Haleemah, together and they have been inseparable in the years following their nuptials.
Michael Caine and wife Shakira Caine make a rare public appearance
Caine, who has struggled with several health challenges over the years, stepped out into the public in November 2022 in the company of his lovely wife. The couple was photographed at Harry’s Bar in London with Caine walking out of the bar with the aid of a walker.
This appearance proves that he is still very active despite ongoing rumors that he might have retired permanently. The father of two had earlier revealed on his Twitter page in 2021 that he is still pretty much around. “I haven’t retired and not a lot of people know that,” he wrote. The actor has since starred in the 2022 film Medieval with Ben Foster and Matthew Goode.