Pierce Brosnan's deeply meaningful nickname for wife Keely Shaye Smith after enduring personal heartbreak

Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely Shaye Smith are one of Hollywood's most admired partnerships. The pair have been together for more than 25 years, having first met at a party in Mexico in 1994 before tying the knot in 2001. 

The James Bond star has made no secret of his adoration for his wife, whom he met three years after the devastating death of his first wife Cassie, who died of ovarian cancer in 1991. 

Keely, 63, has been a pillar of support for Pierce, 73, since then. "Keely has always been kind and compassionate and encouraged me to mourn Cassie," Pierce told the Daily Mail on Sunday in 2013. 

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Sharing the sweet nickname he has for his other half, the actor continued: "I suppose Keely is my North Star, always looking out for me."

Pierce Brosnan's late wife

Pierce lost his first wife, Australian actress Cassandra Harris, to ovarian cancer in 1991. During their marriage, which lasted from December 1980 until her death in December 1991, the couple welcomed a son named Sean. Pierce also adopted Cassie's two children, Charlotte and Chris, from a previous marriage. Tragically, Charlotte also died of ovarian cancer in 2013. 

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Reflecting on the pain of losing his wife, Pierce said in 2013: "Such things draw a mark across your heart and it's always a part of your life. To watch someone you love have their life eaten away – bit by bit, by this insidious and horrid disease – becomes an indelible part of your psyche."

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"Keely has always been kind and compassionate and encouraged me to mourn Cassie. I think of Cassie all the time," he continued. "Cancer is a very sad thing but you can always take something from every experience. 

"I've always been a positive thinker. I suppose Keely is my North Star, always looking out for me."

Pierce and Keely's love story 

Pierce and Keely tied the knot at Ballintubber Abbey in Ireland in 2001, seven years after they first met.

Keely, who has worked in television journalism and documentary filmmaking, marked their 25th wedding anniversary with a sweet Instagram post back in August. 

"Happy 25th wedding anniversary my love," she wrote alongside a carousel of throwback photos. "What an adventure life is with you. Looking forward to the next 25 years beside you @piercebrosnanofficial."

The couple went on to welcome two sons: Dylan, now 29, and Paris, 25.