Quotes

The ideal man doesn't exist. A husband is easier to find.

I said I don't sleep with married men, but what I meant was I don't sleep with happily married men.

[on Peter Sellers] I would squirm with embarrassment at the demeaning lengths he would go to in order to ingratiate himself with the Royal Family.

[on Warren Beatty] Warren is the most divine lover of all. His libido was as lethal as high-octane gas. I had never known such pleasure of passion in my life.

I just like someone who satisfies me sexually and is fun, but puts no demands on me and who disappears out of my life when I like them to disappear out of my life.

[on how lover Warren Beatty handled her like an elevator] He knew exactly where to locate the top button. One flick and we were away.

In the old days bachelors were men who had the best of everything. They had girlfriends. They ate and drank and skied and went to the south of France and drove beautiful cars. They were set in their ways, they weren't gay, they just didn't want to get married. And that's where I am today. I am like an old-fashioned bachelor.

I told all my children: don't do what I did. Meet someone, travel with them, go on holiday, have fun, party. Don't fall in love and have a baby. So they didn't. My son is 40 having his first baby. He took the advice very seriously. And Victoria is not going to have any children now. She's too old, but she didn't want any. My youngest is 25 and much too young to think about it.

I had such a protected, happy childhood. Nothing bad had ever happened in my life. I had never seen blood. I had never known death or sickness, although that came years later when my mother was struck down by Alzheimer's. She suffered dreadfully - it's one of the reasons I take care of myself now because I don't want to end up as she did; it was heartbreaking.

Cosmetic surgery is a very personal thing, it's almost like talking about your underwear. Too many young people think you have to have it but at my age you really have the right to go out and pull your skin up.

[2017, on Roger Moore's passing]: His friendship is one I shall always cherish. He was 'my' Bond but he was the world's Bond. He will for ever be remembered in the movies. And I will carry him in my heart for ever.

[2024, on if James Bond should be portrayed by a woman] No! Bond was written as a man, and it has to be a man and it has to be an English man.