Pierce Brosnan and wife Keely Shaye Smith make surprising life change after 26 years


The former James Bond star has revealed why the couple are ready to leave their sprawling $100 million Malibu compound


© FilmMagic
Nicola Conville
Nicola ConvilleFeatures Writer
22 minutes ago

Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely Shaye Smith are preparing for a major life change after more than 26 years in Malibu.

The former James Bond star, 73, has revealed that he and Keely, 62, are ready to move on from their sprawling California compound, which has been valued at around $100 million.

Pierce and Keely currently divide their time between Malibu and their home on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, but after several close calls with wildfires – including the devastating Los Angeles fires of January 2025 – the actor admitted it may finally be time to leave California behind.

Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely Shaye Brosnan pose for a photo on a beach holding champagne glasses, shared on Instagram© Instagram
The couple have owned their Malibu home for more than two decades

"We've been spared by the fires a few times now. But I think it's time to move," he told The Times. "Everything changes, everything falls apart."

Pierce explained that living on the California coastline has also brought another underlying worry.

"We live by this body of earth's water on a fault in a ring of earthquakes," he said. "That creates a fear." The actor also admitted that life in Malibu has changed significantly since the couple first settled there. 

"I think the two of us are somewhat reclusive. It's a long way into town," he explained. "We have a small circle of friends here [but] people get divorced, they die, they move on. And we're still here."

pierce brosnan keeley shaye smith malibu home© Mike Helfrich
Pierce and Keeley spent 10 years transforming their home

Their incredible Malibu home

Pierce and Keely began creating their Malibu estate after purchasing two neighboring properties for a reported combined $7.35 million in 2000.

Located on sought-after Broad Beach, the Southeast Asian-inspired estate spans more than an acre and comprises two residences with a total of five bedrooms and 14 bathrooms.

The main residence, known as the Orchid House, took more than a decade to complete and stretches across approximately 12,500 square feet.

pierce brosnan keeley shaye smith malibu home© Mike Helfrich
The couple have a main home and guest house

Among its luxurious features are a movie theater, gym, music room, climate-controlled wine cellar and a spa lined with travertine and featuring two soaking tubs.

The couple have previously attempted to part with the property. It has been offered both for sale and rent over the years, including an asking price of around $100 million, although they ultimately remained in the home.

Their time there has not been without frightening moments. In 2015, a fire broke out in the home's garage while Pierce and his family were inside, reportedly causing around $1 million worth of damage.

The property was later spared during the catastrophic 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, which destroyed homes belonging to a number of stars, including Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson and Jeff Bridges.

pierce brosnan keeley shaye smith malibu home© Mike Helfrich
The beachside property boasts incredible ocean views

'I have to pay the mortgage'

Pierce also made a surprisingly candid admission about the financial realities of maintaining such an extraordinary property.

"There have been doldrums," he said of his acting career. "I have this beautiful house in Malibu. I have to pay the mortgage. There are school fees."

"There are definite moments of, oh, this boat is not quite sinking, but [it might] if we don't get a job soon."

The couple, who married in Ireland in 2001, share sons Dylan and Paris and celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in August.

More US
See more
Conversation

For more information on our conversation section, please read our Community Guidelines. Comments featured and views shared are not endorsed by HELLO!.