Sean Connery died of respiratory failure from pneumonia, old age, and atrial fibrillation, according to his death certificate. The last cause is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can cause poor blood flow and increase the chances of heart failure, stroke, and other heart-related health issues.
The document, which was obtained by TMZ, also shows that the James Bond actor died on October 31st at 1:30 a.m. at his home in the island of New Providence in the Bahamas. It was previously confirmed by Connery’s widow, Micheline Roquebrune, that the Hollywood icon died peacefully in his sleep. He was 90.
News of Connery’s cause of death comes almost a month after Roquebrune revealed the actor’s battle with dementia in his final years. “He had dementia and it took its toll on him,” she told Scottish Mail on November 1st. “It was no life for him. He was not able to express himself latterly. At least he died in his sleep and it was just so peaceful. I was with him all the time and he just slipped away. It was what he wanted.”
Roquebrune, who called Connery “a model of a man” in the rare interview, went on to admit that life “is going to be very hard without him.”
Roquebrune, who was married to the Oscar winner for 45 years, also told the publication that some of the actor’s ashes were to be scattered in his home country of Scotland. “We are going to bring Sean back to Scotland – that was his final wish,” she said. “He wanted his ashes to be scattered in the Bahamas and also in his homeland.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, Roquebrune noted that she and the rest of Connery’s family would like this to happen just as soon as the coronavirus restrictions allow. “Whenever it is possible and safe to travel again, then it is the family’s intention to return to Scotland with him,” said Roquebrune, who is 91 years old. “We would like to organize a memorial service for him in Scotland – that is our hope. But we cannot say when this will happen exactly.”
Connery rose to global prominence when he originated the role of James Bond in Dr. No in 1962, and continued to play the part in sequels From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), and You Only Live Twice (1967). After You Only Live Twice, Connery left the Bond franchise, only to be coaxed back for 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever. He left the franchise for the second time after Diamonds Are Forever but returned to the role one last time in 1983 for Never Say Never Again.
In a statement following the news of Connery’s death, Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said the actor “was and shall always be remembered as the original James Bond whose indelible entrance into cinema history began when he announced those unforgettable words, ‘The name’s Bond… James Bond.’”